For Aghnan Yarits Anggara, dreams are not merely something to imagine, but goals worth pursuing when opportunities arise. This belief has shaped his journey from working as a statistics practitioner at Statistics Indonesia (BPS) in Dumai City to becoming the best master’s graduate of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM). He graduated from the Master of Management (MM) Program at FEB UGM with a cumulative GPA of 3.98 and completed his studies in just one year, five months, and 20 days, earning cum laude honors.
Before pursuing his master’s degree at the MM FEB UGM, Angga, as he is commonly known, worked as a statistics practitioner at BPS in Dumai City, Riau. For four years, he was involved in compiling various macroeconomic indicators, including Dumai City’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP). The role gave him extensive experience in interpreting economic conditions through data and figures.
Yet, behind the economic figures he worked with, Angga realized there was another dimension he wanted to understand more deeply. While macroeconomics allowed him to see the broader picture of the economy, he wanted to explore the dynamics at the company and market levels, as well as the business decisions that help shape the economy.
His desire to broaden his perspective ultimately led him to pursue further education at MM FEB UGM through a study assignment program offered by his institution. For Angga, pursuing a master’s degree was not merely about gaining an additional academic qualification, but also an opportunity to develop his capabilities and understand economic issues from a broader perspective.
Broadening Perspectives in Management
Angga explained that his decision to choose MM FEB UGM was based on the quality of its education and academic environment. Its AACSB international accreditation and strong alums reputation further strengthened his confidence in pursuing his studies at MM FEB UGM. As an awardee of the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), he saw this opportunity as an important part of his personal and professional development.
Entering the field of management education was a new experience for Angga, who came from a background in statistics and science. One of his greatest challenges was adapting to the field of finance, which required him to learn new concepts and theories.
At the same time, the diverse backgrounds of MM FEB UGM students provided him with a valuable learning experience. Classroom case-study discussions not only connected the concepts learned in class but also brought together different perspectives shaped by each student’s professional experience. This diversity made discussions more dynamic and gave Angga opportunities to examine issues from a wider range of perspectives.
“One of the most interesting experiences here was the diversity among the students, which brought heterogeneous perspectives into classroom discussions. This greatly encouraged me to develop my critical thinking skills,” he said.
The Journey of Writing His Thesis
Angga’s interest in economic analysis remained a common thread throughout his academic journey. This was reflected in his thesis, which examined the effect of equity market capitalization on property price indices in ASEAN-5 countries while also accounting for credit factors.
Through this research, Angga explored the relationship between financial market indicators and property price movements, further applying the analytical skills he had developed in statistics.
“My thesis started with the question of whether there are other macro-financial factors besides credit that can influence property prices in ASEAN countries. The results showed that equity market capitalization does indeed have a positive effect on property price indices in ASEAN-5 countries,” he explained.
During the thesis-writing process, Angga was supervised by Prof. Dr. Drs. Eduardus Tandelilin, MBA. He greatly appreciated the support and guidance from his supervisor, which were key to navigating the challenges of his research and ultimately to graduating with outstanding results as the best graduate.
Balancing Academics, Organizations, and Passion
For Angga, his experience at MM FEB UGM extended beyond classroom activities. He also made the most of his study period by participating in competitions, academic conferences, and student organizations.
One of his achievements was winning third place in the Green Business Plan Competition with an innovative tea product made from snake fruit peel. He also participated in several national and international conferences, including the 13th Gadjah Mada International Conference on Economics and Business (GAMAICEB), the Sebelas Maret International Conference on Digital Economy (SMICDE) in Solo, Central Java, and the 2026 2nd International Conference on Marketing and Behavioral Science (ICMBS) in Fukuoka, Japan.
“My most recent conference experience in Japan was quite challenging because I arrived back in Yogyakarta only about 12 hours before my thesis defense was scheduled,” he recalled.
Beyond academics, Angga was also actively involved in student organizations. He served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Operations Club and Vice Chief Academic Officer of the MBA Student Association (MBA SE). Through these organizations, he was involved in various academic activities, including exam preparation and mentoring junior students.
Balancing academic responsibilities with organizational activities required Angga to manage his time carefully and set clear priorities. He believes that one of the keys to navigating each semester is developing a passion for the field being studied. By finding genuine interest in his subjects, he approached his academic journey with greater curiosity and enthusiasm.
Dreams as a Reminder to Keep Growing
Being named the best graduate of MM FEB UGM marked an important milestone in Angga’s journey. Behind this achievement, he continues to hold on to the values instilled by his family, particularly regarding the importance of education and the struggle involved in gaining access to learning opportunities. Stories about his parents’ efforts to pursue education have always reminded him that the opportunity to learn is something to be deeply appreciated. These experiences have also shaped the way he defines a dream.
“Dreams are an unlimited resource given by God, allowing everyone the space to continue growing and developing themselves. However, having the courage to dream must be accompanied by determination when opportunities arise and a willingness to learn new things,” he concluded.
Reporter: Najwa Anggi Namira
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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