Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business

Wednesday (26/07), a lively atmosphere filled the closing and awarding night of the national level of Outstanding Student Selection (Pilmapres) at Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, South Sulawesi. Schalke Anindya Putri, representing Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), achieved first place in the undergraduate level of this annual competition. The young woman, usually known as Schalke, will soon enter her last year of study in the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) of Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UGM.

A Long Journey Leading to Remarkable Achievement

Schalke explained that she went through various stages to reach this point. Firstly, she had to go through the selection process at the faculty level. Schalke then represented FEB in the university-level competition. She successfully secured first place, thus earning the right to represent UGM in the regional round of the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Finally, she had the opportunity to compete in the national level of Pilmapres, consisting of national preliminary and final selection rounds. During the national competition held from 24th to 28th July 2023, Schalke underwent a series of activities and assessments, such as presenting creative ideas, describing herself and her achievements, delivering a speech in English, as well as participating in a leaderless group discussion.

Schalke revealed that the national stage was the most memorable part of her journey to become an outstanding student. During this stage, she had the chance to meet students from various provinces in Indonesia, each with their remarkable competencies. Moreover, she emphasized that the assessment at the national level was more comprehensive. "The evaluation at the national level is different from the previous stages (which were more quantitative). At the national level, we were also assessed regarding propriety, such as behavior, profile, and identity as outstanding students. There are even judges who evaluate such qualitative aspects," said Schalke.

Thorough Preparation as the Key to Excellence

To prepare for the complex selection process at the national level, Schalke had meticulously prepared herself. First, she needed to prepare materials for the three presentation types. Schalke consistently sought advice on the creative ideas she developed from one of her academic advisors, Mr. Gumilang Aryo Sahadewo, S.E., M.A., Ph.D. Next, she had to think outside the box to determine the story she wanted to present during the self-description session. Schalke also practiced time management and English language skills to handle the speech session, given that she only had two minutes to prepare for her speech.

Secondly, Schalke diligently worked on enhancing her presentation skills and overall appearance. She continuously practiced with the faculty and university staff to refine aspects that could be improved. Lastly, she highlighted the importance of mental and physical preparation. "During crucial moments like this, it was difficult to maintain oneself. However, I had a supportive support system, which allowed me to remain calm besides being physically and mentally healthy," Schalke uttered.

Support from Various Parties: Another Key to Schalke's Success

Schalke expressed her gratitude for the supportive efforts of the faculty and the university during her preparation process. She mentioned that FEB UGM guided Pilmapres preparations through her academic advisor, Choirunnisa Arifa, S.E., M.Sc., Ph.D., Ak., CA. As mentioned earlier, the faculty also assisted Schalke in developing creative ideas through the guidance of Mr. Gumilang Aryo Sahadewo, S.E., M.A., Ph.D. The progress of Schalke's journey was also positively influenced by the valuable input of Arizona Mustika Rini, SE, M.Bus(Acc)., Ph.D., Ak., CA., who represented the Career and Student Development Unit (CSDU) at FEB UGM. Furthermore, the faculty arranged Okkie Putriani to be Schalke's coach to improve her public speaking skills.

At the university level, the Subdirectorate of Student Creativity and the Directorate of Student Affairs (Ditmawa) UGM supported Schalke's preparation by providing material guidance, presentation training, along with emotional and mental support. "I never felt alone because of the support from the faculty and university. I also want to give a shoutout to all the people I cherish—friends, family, lecturers (Mr. Gilang, Mrs. Choi, Mrs. Arizona, and all the lecturers who have taught me), mentors (including Mrs. Okkie Putriani), the Dean's Office, CSDU, SWPDC (Student Wellness and Personal Development Center FEB UGM), Ditmawa, and everyone who supported and prayed for me. Thank you," Schalke remarked.

The Meaning of Being an Outstanding Student for Schalke

"Honestly, I never expected to become the National 1st Outstanding Student. It was never my target. Mixed feelings—surprised, happy, relieved, and touched," Schalke shared her feelings upon achieving the title. Moreover, she felt that this title came with significant responsibility, and she felt obliged to positively and substantially impact society.

Furthermore, Schalke told her fellow students at FEB UGM, "Sometimes, as students, we may lose our way, especially among various options and distractions. However, you all need to remember that being outstanding is not just about how many achievements you've attained or what you've done. Being outstanding is about exploring your full potential and having confidence in yourself." She concluded, "Being outstanding is not just about oneself, but it is about bringing success and victory for something bigger and positive for those around us."

Reportage: Rizal Farizi