Joy and emotion filled the heart of 25-year-old Rizki Oktavianto. He stood tall under his graduation gown and tried to smile. While his fellow graduates celebrated their achievements with their families after completing their long academic journey in the Master’s program, Rizki stood alone without the presence of his father or mother.
A Heartbreaking Loss
Rizki could no longer hold back his tears as he stood on the stage and delivered his graduation speech as the top graduate of the Master of Science in Accounting program at FEB UGM on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. His voice trembled as he remembered his late mother, Jariyah, who had passed away just weeks before graduation day. She had been his sole supporter – faithfully by his side throughout his academic journey, from the beginning until he earned his M.Sc. and was named the top graduate of the April 2025 period with a GPA of 3.97. Her death left a deep void in Rizki’s life.
For 1 year, 5 months, and 8 days, Rizki pursued his Master’s degree with an unwavering spirit. He admitted that he began his academic journey feeling ignorant and eager to learn, but his enthusiasm grew, fueled by his mother’s constant prayers.
“My mother would mention my name in every prayer after her salah and dhikr. She prayed for me to become a righteous and successful person, both in this world and hereafter,” he recalled with tears in his eyes.
His mother’s happiest moment came on January 23, 2025, when Rizki passed his thesis defense. From then on, she began preparing for the graduation ceremony. She bought new clothes and a bag and even expressed her desire to thank Rizki’s thesis advisor, Prof. Sony Warsono, personally.
But fate had other plans. On the last day of Ramadan 1446 H, Rizki’s mother passed away, joining Rizki’s father, who had died 20 years earlier. As an only child, this loss was harrowing. But amid his grief, Rizki found the strength to carry on.
“Fortunately, the earth keeps spinning. Fortunately, I decided not to give up,” he said, quoting a line from a Bernadya song that comforted him.
For Rizki, perhaps his mother chose to pray from a place closer to God. He believed she was there on graduation day, watching over his success.
“Alhamdulillah, Mom. Your son, Rizki Oktavianto, has officially earned his Master’s degree,” he whispered through tears.
He ended his speech with a Javanese lyric as a final tribute to his mother:
“Suwun ngancani, suwun sampun nyekseni padange dalan sing tak liwati. Pencapaian iki, ibuk sing ndongani.”
(Thank you for being with me and for witnessing the light of the path I’ve walked. This accomplishment is the result of your prayers).
Academic Journey
Rizki’s interest in accounting began in high school, where he consistently excelled in economics and accounting. The turning point came when he read verse 282 of Surah Al-Baqarah in the Qur’an, which discusses the importance of recording financial transactions.
“That was when I realized that accurate financial documentation plays a crucial role as valid evidence and can lead people to security in this world and the next,” Rizki explained.
He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting education from Yogyakarta State University (UNY) and later taught as a substitute teacher at SMAN 1 Bantul. The dream of becoming a lecturer grew stronger with the support of his students and colleagues, which eventually led him to pursue a Master’s degree in Accounting Science at FEB UGM with an LPDP scholarship.
Adjusting to the new research-based curriculum throughout the 18-month program was challenging. However, Rizki viewed it as a crucial phase in shaping his mindset as an emerging scientist.
“The curriculum was designed to keep pace with the latest developments in the field,” he noted.
Focusing on the information systems concentration, Rizki actively engaged in discussions about data analytics, data science, and artificial intelligence related to accounting. These weren’t just theoretical – he learned how to connect them to real-world practices and the future of the accounting profession.
The university’s rich academic resources, especially access to international journals, greatly supported his studies. However, faculty and peers’ emotional and social support made a lasting impact.
“I am grateful for the guidance of Prof. Sony Warsono. He supported me academically and gave me valuable life advice,” Rizki said.
He also mentioned one of his colleagues during his teaching days at SMAN 1 Bantul, Ibu Dwi Subekti, M.Pd, who played a significant role in mentoring him to become an educator. Not only that, but she also convinced him that he would be able to inspire young people in the future.
“She gave me a strong example of what it means to be an educator – not just to teach academics, but also to instill life values such as discipline, perseverance, hard work, and diligence,” he explained.
In addition to lecturing, Rizki was also involved in the Center for Accounting Education Studies (PKAP) at FEB UGM as a research assistant. He facilitated LMS SIDEK Edu training and co-authored articles on accounting education. His most memorable experience was working on a textbook with Prof. Sony Warsono and Dr. Arika Artiningsih.
Now that he officially holds a master’s degree, Rizki believes it comes with responsibility. For him, every graduate should carry three essential values: gratitude for their degree, a commitment to use their knowledge to educate others, and a sincere intention to make a meaningful impact on society.
“Success is when we become useful and inspire others, even through small steps,” he said.
As an alumnus of FEB UGM, Rizki believes that the core values of the faculty have shaped him into a more resilient individual. He strives to live these values – especially integrity, which he sees as a vital foundation for life.
Spreading Kindness
Rizki dreams of becoming a full-time teacher who can guide students to compete, excel, and achieve their dreams. Behind this ambition is his late mother’s wish that he always take care of orphans.
“My mother always wanted me to take care of the orphans in my community because I became fatherless at the age of six,” he said.
He also offered encouragement to the students who are currently navigating their academic journeys and personal struggles. Rizki encouraged them to stay strong, even when the road seems rough.
“As the song Selalu Ada di Nadimu (OST Jumbo) by Bunga Citra Lestari says, ‘When the storm comes, the wind will shake you. Forgive life because it wants you to be stronger,” he concluded.
Report by: Shofi Hawa Anjani
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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