Trixi Karinina Dewi Sindhutomo, a graduate of the Public Policy and Management Study Program at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Fisipol UGM), expressed gratitude and pride.
Trixi, as she is commonly called, earned the distinction of completing the fastest study period among graduates in the Bachelor and Applied Bachelor Graduation Ceremony for the First Period of 2025, held on Tuesday (Nov. 25) at Grha Sabha Pramana.
She completed her undergraduate program in 3 years and 27 days, achieving a GPA of 3.85. In comparison, the average study period of the 1,729 undergraduate graduates was 4 years and 4 months.
“I am very grateful, and honestly, I never expected these recognitions and achievements. Becoming the fastest graduate and also the best in my department was beyond my imagination,” she said on Monday (Dec. 1) at UGM.
Trixi explained that she chose her major because of her interest in social issues. According to her, the program addresses various social problems that can be approached through management and public policy.
During her studies, Trixi was not solely focused on academics; she was also actively involved in various committees and volunteer activities. Even so, she proved she could manage everything well.
This is reflected in the range of awards she received, including a silver medal at the Indonesian National Student Science Competition (PIMNAS) and the titles of Best Presentation and Best Paper at the Young Indonesian Administrators Meeting, part of a national public administration competition.
Trixi also participated in a student exchange program at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands during her fifth semester. While there, she conducted research and collected data for her thesis.
She shared that she undertook research in Spatial Planning, which differs somewhat from her academic major, although both focus on developing public facilities. She noted that the experience significantly expanded her knowledge of economic geography and urban governance.
“But this research focused more specifically on the development of spatial governance itself, including urban and rural planning,” she explained.
Balancing the demands of a student exchange program while completing a thesis was certainly not easy.
However, through determination and strong discipline, she excelled not only academically but also in non-academic pursuits. Trixi believes that perseverance and consistency played a key role in her early graduation.
“Keep going even on difficult days, just keep moving. The key is really perseverance and consistency. And remember that not every day will be happy, and that’s okay. Just keep going. Don’t stop,” she reflected.
For her thesis, she chose the title “National Social Housing Policy for the Indonesian Middle Class: Policy Learning from the Netherlands”. Her research focused on social housing policies in the Netherlands, particularly those designed for the middle class, and examined how these policies could serve as best practices for Indonesia.
She adopted Wilson’s (2019) Contemporary Policy Learning Theory. For primary data, she interviewed two Dutch representatives working in Housing Associations and an academic expert in the housing market, who also happened to be her lecturer.
For secondary data, she interviewed two representatives from Indonesia’s Ministry of Housing.
“In semester five, after returning from the Netherlands, I immediately presented my proposal seminar, then proceeded straight to data analysis. So, before Student Community Service (KKN), my thesis was already finished except for revisions. After KKN, the revisions were completely done, so I only had to wait for my KKN grade to proceed to the final defense,” she explained.
In closing, Trixi emphasized that everyone’s journey is unique because each person has their own timeline and circumstances. For her, achieving the fastest study completion this period carries a noble purpose: to make her parents proud.
“Finishing in three years was based on many personal considerations, and I believe not everyone has to follow the same path,” she concluded.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photograph: Trixi Karinina Dewi Sindhutomo