Firdausi Nur Azizah is among the postgraduate students at UGM who were granted the prestigious Fast-Track Master’s and Doctoral Program for Outstanding Bachelor’s Graduates (PMDSU).
During the recent graduation ceremony (Jan. 24) at Grha Sabha Pramana, she was honored to be the top graduate, boasting an impeccable GPA of 4.00. She was chosen to deliver a speech on behalf of her fellow graduates.
This achievement holds immense significance for Azizah, considering the challenges she encountered while searching for scholarships to further her education.
After completing her undergraduate studies, she worked at a private agricultural company while actively pursuing scholarship opportunities. Her perseverance was tested twice when she attempted to secure the PMDSU scholarship but faced setbacks due to the absence of an academic advisor.
“During the PMDSU Batch IV registration, I discovered that my study program still lacked an academic advisor, preventing me from proceeding with the application,” she lamented.
In 2019, Azizah seized the opportunity to apply for PMDSU after finding an academic advisor who also happened to be her thesis supervisor during her undergraduate program. Azizah prepared all the required documents and prerequisites without hesitation while juggling her work commitments.
“Alhamdulillah, 2019 marked the year when I was accepted as a PMDSU Batch V awardee in the Department of Soil Sciences at UGM,” Azizah recalled, her emotions running high.
Throughout her studies, she assisted her advisor in various research projects in her field while formulating a research plan for her Ph.D.
Upon admission to the Ph.D. program, Azizah embarked on a rigorous schedule of attending classes while conducting research, immersing herself in fieldwork and laboratory experiments daily. Azizah worked tirelessly, navigating challenges in the laboratory from dawn till dusk.
Azizah’s academic journey was not without its hurdles. In her second year of study, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her educational pursuits. Numerous research activities had to be adapted to comply with pandemic restrictions, resulting in a one-year delay in her research schedule in Japan.
“My research entailed extensive fieldwork and laboratory experiments involving multiple collaborators, and several activities were conducted outside the city. However, the pandemic-induced social distancing regulations significantly impeded the research process,” Azizah recounted.
For Azizah, effective time management, emotional resilience, and maintaining her well-being were crucial strategies throughout her studies. To ensure timely graduation, she meticulously set long-term goals for her four-year study period alongside short-term objectives aligned with her research scheme.
Azizah also actively discussed with her advisor and co-advisor at every stage of the process, deliberating on her research’s progress, challenges, and outcomes.
Azizah’s fascination with soil science dates back to 2017 when she embarked on her undergraduate journey. Soil science captivates Azizah because it delves into the soil not only as a medium for agriculture but also as a vital land resource.
According to Azizah, the multidisciplinary nature of soil science makes it captivating—it intersects with various scientific domains.
“We delve into myriad aspects of soil, encompassing its formation, characterization, utilization, challenges, and management tailored to its capabilities, ensuring sustainable support for all human needs and activities on this planet, which are intertwined with soil—from sustenance, clothing, and shelter to energy,” expressed the passionate UGM lecturer.
“It’s an incredibly intricate field, which is why the career opportunities in agriculture, plantations, mining, and beyond are vast.”
Now actively teaching at the Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM, Azizah aspires to continue her journey as an educator, researcher, and community advocate.
“Ever since I was in school, I’ve had a penchant for teaching young children in my neighborhood. As an undergraduate student, I was deeply inspired by the community service initiatives spearheaded by lecturers and was eager to partake in research activities in the laboratory and the field,” she revealed.
Source: UGM Directorate of Education and Teaching
Editor: Gloria