Four new students at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) have been selected to receive educational assistance in the form of laptops, cash grants, and product support from ParagonCorp. This serves as both a reinforcement of their journey into higher education and a tribute to the spirit and perseverance they have shown in facing life’s challenges.
One of them is Rofidah Nurhana Lestari, a student at the UGM Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP UGM).
Coming from a modest family, her father works as a straw truck driver with inconsistent income, while her mother devotes her time to caring for Lestari’s chronically ill sibling.
Despite these circumstances, Lestari grew up to be self-reliant, balancing her time between school, managing a mobile phone kiosk, and writing poetry; her work was even featured alongside Najwa Shihab in the book Catatan Perjuangan.
Her hard work paid off when she was admitted to UGM through the academic excellence-based entrance selection (SNBP) and received a full scholarship.
Another inspiring story comes from Aprillia Dea Kurniasari, a student in the Tourism Business Program at UGM’s Vocational School (SV UGM).
Kurniasari not only worked hard in her studies but also managed her own finances during high school by saving up her allowance to buy university entrance exam books and cover registration fees.
Although her parents’ income has declined over time, they have always instilled in her the importance of education.
“Even though they couldn’t support me financially, they wanted to equip me with education,” said Kurniasari on Tuesday, Jul. 1, 2025.
Coming from a farming laborer family, Anisa Ramadhani has also proven that financial limitations are no barrier to high aspirations.
Throughout high school, Ramadhani strived for academic excellence despite not being able to afford private tutoring.
She studied independently by compiling and summarizing her lessons and participated in academic competitions, winning second place in the Ecolympic at Yogyakarta State University (UNY).
“My parents almost never took a day off work to support our education. That’s what keeps me going,” she shared.
Ramadhani is now enrolled in the Banking Program at SV UGM and aspires to become a financial analyst or work at Bank Indonesia.
Sahida Ilmi, a student in the Faculty of Dentistry, took a similar path of perseverance.
Born into a farming family, Ilmi witnessed her father take on various jobs, including construction laborer and odd jobs, to support their household.
Determined to succeed, she made it her goal to excel academically and participated in various competitions during her high school years.
She hopes to repay her parents’ sacrifices by becoming a trustworthy and community-minded dentist.
“My parents always told me that if we are willing to try, there will always be a way,” she said.
For these four students, the support from ParagonCorp is more than just material assistance.
It is recognition of their tireless efforts.
This support marks the first step in realizing their dreams and creating real change in society.
Authors: Rahma Khoirunnisa and Bolivia Rahmawati
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Donnie