Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continues to expand access to quality education for individuals from diverse backgrounds. Hafiz Aulia Putra, a batch 2024 undergraduate student at the UGM Faculty of Biology (Biology UGM), is living proof that there is always a way for those willing to persevere despite limitations.
Putra is the eldest of two children. His father, Anang Priyanto, works as a daily laborer, while his mother, Nur Hikmah, sells snacks in the Cilacap District of Cilacap Regency, Central Java.
Amidst financial hardship, his family faced significant challenges in supporting his education. For a while, pursuing higher education seemed like a dream Putra might have to abandon.
Yet, his strong determination and discipline never let that dream slip away.
According to his father, Putra had always been independent and diligent in his studies.
He consistently earned the highest grades in class and achieved notable accomplishments during his high school years.
As a result, he successfully gained admission to the UGM Faculty of Biology through the highly competitive academic excellence-based entrance selection (SNBP) track.
The news came as a surprise to Priyanto, who was both shocked and proud of his eldest son’s achievement.
This success would not have been possible without the unwavering support and prayers of Putra’s parents, who stood behind every choice he made.
“We are extremely proud of Putra. This is the result of his hard work and prayers. We hope he continues to excel and reach his goals at the UGM Faculty of Biology,” said Priyanto with emotion on Tuesday, Jul. 1, 2025.
Putra expressed deep gratitude for being accepted into UGM at no cost.
He was also fortunate to receive a scholarship through the Kartu Indonesia Pintar Kuliah (KIP-K) program, which significantly eases the financial burden on his family.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be studying at a university that is a source of pride for young people across the country,” he said.
Now, Putra begins his new chapter at the Faculty of Biology, becoming the first university student in his extended family. With support from the KIP-K program, he is equipped to pursue his studies without financial worry.
His journey serves as an inspiration to many young Indonesians: that economic hardship should never be a barrier to achieving one’s dreams.
UGM continues to provide educational opportunities to the nation’s brightest students through various support schemes.
In addition to KIP-K, the university also offers full tuition fee subsidies (UKT), scholarships from Kagama (UGM Alumni), and private sponsorships.
UGM remains committed to providing a character-driven education environment for young talents across Indonesia.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photograph: Faculty of Biology