Fikhri Astina Tasmara pursued her doctoral studies with the intention of contributing to the advancement of knowledge, rather than merely obtaining a degree. This commitment motivated her as she graduated from the Doctoral Program in Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FMIPA UGM). Hailing from Makassar, South Sulawesi, she completed her studies at the age of 25 years and 8 months.
Fikhri, as she is often called, recounted that she was raised in a family that highly valued education.
Her parents always instilled in her the understanding that although education is not everything, it can be the key to a fulfilling life and seizing opportunities.
“My mother and grandmother also taught me that women must have the power and ability to be independent. This has always been a mindset that I continue to carry throughout my life,” Fikhri said when interviewed on Thursday (Jul. 31).
She added, “So I am always encouraged to keep learning and developing.”
Before continuing her doctoral studies at UGM, Fikhri completed her undergraduate studies in Physics at Universitas Hasanuddin.
Physics was one of her most interesting subjects from middle school to high school.
She also admitted that her reason for choosing to continue her studies in the Doctoral Program in Physics at UGM is that the university offers an ideal environment.
This environment is conducive to research that is both applicable and impactful for society.
“I believe that UGM can provide a conducive academic environment to develop my potential and deepen my knowledge in the field of physics, which I have been pursuing since my undergraduate level,” she stated.
Becoming the Youngest Graduate
A feeling of joy and emotion came when she learned that she was the youngest graduate with a GPA of 3.80.
Fikhri admitted she has the principle that the faster she processes, the more opportunities she can seize.
“Although sometimes there are many obstacles that block our path, because everything starts faster, we have more time to keep improving ourselves and think about solutions to the problems we face,” Fikhri revealed.
Finishing her studies at a young age was not inspired by world figures but by her own older sibling.
Fikhri admitted that she learned many things from her sibling by following and learning from every step they took.
“Seeing how my sibling underwent her education with full dedication and became successful, I felt motivated to continue moving forward and complete my studies in the same way,” Fikhri said.
Additionally, the role of family, friends, and lecturers was very significant in supporting her achievements.
Fikhri said that her family always provided full support.
She always remembers the smile of her late father when she achieved first place, which continues to be her motivation to develop herself and achieve proud accomplishments in her honor.
“My success is also inseparable from the prayers and support of my mother, who always gave me strength, as well as strong encouragement from my sister,” Fikhri revealed.
Furthermore, she admitted she is very grateful to her promoter team, who provided her with meaningful knowledge and direction.
They also accompanied Fikhri in every step of completing her studies. The promoter team includes Professor Mitrayana, Dr. Rini Widyaningrum, and Dr. Andreas Setiawan.
One of her interesting experiences at UGM was realizing that the physics she studied had taken her to many places.
During her studies at UGM, she had the opportunity to attend various conferences in Indonesia.
This not only gave her the chance to see new places but also to expand her network and meet colleagues with similar interests.
One of the most memorable experiences for Fikhri was her time as a visiting researcher at a leading university in Japan.
This was Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, in the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering.
She said that her research experience there was very valuable, and she gained new insights into research and collaboration.
Completing her studies at a young age in 2 years and 10 months was not easy for Fikhri.
Moreover, she also managed to become a graduate with a high GPA.
Therefore, one way for Fikhri to maintain a balance between her academic and personal life is to condense her schedule and ensure that every day has something to look forward to.
By creating a schedule that includes not only academic tasks but also social activities, she has a way to avoid procrastination.
“This way, I can stay focused on academic tasks while enjoying social moments. This also helps me avoid prolonged stress, because that balance keeps me productive,” she said.
Fikhri advised students who are struggling to complete their studies to always maintain their spirit and focus on their goals.
Sometimes, the academic journey can feel heavy and full of challenges.
However, Fikhri reminded us that every small step we take towards our goal is part of a valuable process.
“Try not to be too burdened by instant results, but enjoy every learning process,” Fikhri advised.
Additionally, she advised not to hesitate to ask for help or discuss with lecturers and friends. Collaboration often opens the way to a deeper understanding.
Most importantly, don’t let academic work consume your time to the detriment of yourself, your family, or your friends.
“Take time to rest, interact with others, and celebrate achievements, even small ones,” she concluded.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photograph: Fikhri Astina Tasmara