The dust of construction sites remains vivid in his memory. Hands once injured from assembling reinforcing steel now earn achievements. Alfath Qornain Isnan Yuliadi, a 2022 student in the Applied Bachelor’s Program in Civil Construction Engineering Technology at the Vocational College of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM), originally from Klaten, has taken an unconventional path. From vocational high school to becoming the only student from his school admitted to UGM, he has now achieved more than a dozen national and international accolades.
Amid the dominance of general high school graduates in university admissions, Alfath’s story stands out as a compelling exception. He was not only the sole student from his vocational school accepted into UGM, but also the first in his family to attend university.
“In my cohort, honestly, it was just me. The only one from my vocational school who got in,” he said on Thursday (Apr. 9).
The decision to pursue higher education did not come without challenges. Alfath even had to face doubts from his own parents. From the beginning, he had been encouraged to attend vocational school so he could work immediately after graduation.
“At first, there was a lot of back and forth. I was enrolled in vocational high school so I could start working right away after graduating,” he recalled.
Behind that was a complex economic reality. As the second of six siblings, Alfath understood that his decision would affect his family’s circumstances. However, his determination never wavered.
“I told my father that if I stopped at vocational high school, my opportunities to grow would be limited. I wanted to go further. I wanted to go to college,” he said. Gradually, his conviction won over his parents.
Alfath’s struggle did not end with gaining permission. He financed the initial steps toward his dream campus on his own. Since his second year of vocational school, he had been working on construction projects alongside his father. From digging foundations to carrying materials, he did it all. The pay was modest, around Rp50,000 per day, but enough to save for the UTBK entrance exam.
“I didn’t feel comfortable asking my father for money. So I worked, saving part of it for UTBK and using the rest for school needs,” he explained.
Amid full-time work from morning until evening, Alfath still made time to study at night. As the exam approached, he carefully managed his schedule, working four days a week and dedicating three full days to studying over the weekend. His perseverance was tested when he suffered a workplace accident, falling from the second floor of a construction site. Instead of giving up, the experience strengthened his resolve.
“I overthought it for a while, afraid I wouldn’t be able to continue. But thankfully, I was given the chance to reach this point,” he said.
The day the UTBK results were announced marked a turning point in his life. Alfath checked the results alone in his room. When he saw that he had been admitted to UGM, his emotions overflowed. He hugged his mother, then rushed to find someone else he held dear, his grandfather.
“I clearly remember running to my grandfather, hugging him, and saying, ‘I’m going to college.’”
That moment was more than a personal triumph. For his family, it marked a new chapter. His grandfather was deeply proud as Alfath became the only grandchild to pursue higher education. It is hoped that he will pave the way for other family members to follow in his footsteps.
Entering university life at UGM has brought significant changes to him. Once an introverted student focused solely on academics, he is now actively involved in organizations, entrusted to lead a student activity unit at the Vocational School, and participates in various competitions.
“I used to refuse invitations to competitions. But at UGM, I realized their importance and started becoming active in my third semester,” he said.
The results have been remarkable. To date, Alfath has won around 15 competitions at national and international levels. He even advanced to the finals of a competition at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. His achievements earned him the Outstanding Student Award at UGM in 2025.
“My parents are very happy. They never imagined their child could receive an award from UGM,” he said.
Alfath’s journey proves that background is not a limitation. From a vocational school student once doubted by others, he has become an accomplished university student who not only uplifts himself but also opens doors for future generations. He concluded with a simple yet powerful message: “Our task is not to predict the future, but to maximize what we can do now so that we won’t have regrets later.”
Amid the roar of construction machinery and the bustle of campus life, Alfath has proven one thing: dreams pursued with determination will always find their way.
Author: Astri Wulandari
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Zabrina Kumara
Photo: Firsto and Alfath Documentation