For Muh Ridho Kurniawan Saadi, studying at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) was a big dream that seemed far from his life. Growing up in a small village on Buton Island, Southeast Sulawesi, an area far from educational centres, Ridho had always aspired to leave his hometown to pursue the best education possible. That determination led him to become the top graduate of FEB UGM at the First Graduation Ceremony of the 2025/2026 Academic Year.
First Steps from Buton
Ridho graduated with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.94 after four years of study, earning him the title of cum laude. His journey from Buton Island to graduation taught him that dreams that are nurtured can become reality. A humble family background and limited access did not deter him. He convinced his parents that scholarship opportunities could be the path to continuing his studies. His determination paid off, as he was admitted to the Accounting Programme at FEB UGM with the support of the KIP-Kuliah scholarship.
“At first, my parents were a bit worried because they had no idea about sending their child this far for education. However, after I explained the scholarship opportunities and potential income from various other sources, such as competitions, committee work, and teaching assistantships, my parents became more at ease,” he shared on Wednesday (26/11/2025) after his graduation ceremony at Grha Sabha Pramana UGM.
Ridho admits that his interest in accounting did not come suddenly. His strong interest in economics and accounting had been growing since he was in secondary school. This interest grew when he participated in the National Science Olympiad (OSN) for secondary school social studies and won a bronze medal. His involvement in the OSN continued at the high school level, where he twice represented Southeast Sulawesi in the High School Economics OSN.
“When participating in national competitions, I realised that my learning opportunities would be much broader if I moved away from home, and I chose FEB UGM,” he said.
Growing up at FEB
He also shared his reasons for choosing FEB UGM. According to him, FEB UGM is the right place because it has various advantages, one of which is AACSB international accreditation. He believes that this advantage will have a significant impact on the quality of student learning and the capabilities of its graduates. In addition, the diverse environment of UGM and Yogyakarta convinced him that he would gain a richer learning experience.
During his studies, Ridho admitted that he did not encounter any significant obstacles that hindered his studies. This is because FEB UGM strongly supports and facilitates students in both academic and non-academic fields. However, his educational journey was not always easy. July 2023 was a difficult month for him because his mother passed away due to heart disease. Ridho remembers that his mother was someone who always believed that he could accomplish anything.
“During my last phone call with my mother, I told her that I was late in submitting one of my final exam assignments because I had overlooked the deadline. However, she reassured me that everything would be alright,” he recalled.
Even so, Ridho continued to do his best in his studies. He also emphasised the importance of understanding one’s own interests and desires, rather than imitating the choices of others. This is because, by pursuing what you truly enjoy, the learning process becomes more enjoyable, and the results are usually more optimal. Furthermore, making more friends during college is also an essential factor in supporting a smooth academic experience.
Keeping Dreams Alive
When delivering his speech as a graduate representative at Grha Sabha Pramana UGM, Ridho emphasized the importance of keeping one’s dreams alive. He believes that the saying ‘If we can dream it, we can make it come true’ is indeed true. Although some people may not immediately think this, he himself did not at first.
“However, when I look back, I realise that the degree we have earned today is actually the dream of our past selves,” he said.
Still fresh in his memory, as a child who grew up far from here, on Buton Island in Southeast Sulawesi, being able to study in Java, let alone at Gadjah Mada University, was a dream that felt so distant and difficult to achieve. However, distant and difficult does not mean impossible.
“That dream became my goal, igniting my passion, opening doors of opportunity, until finally my friends and I became part of Gadjah Mada Muda,” he said.
Holding on to Dreams
In front of thousands of UGM undergraduate graduates, Ridho said that everyone must have imagined that college would be like in the movies. Full of solid friendships, new opportunities, and ample room for growth. These things are indeed obtained during college. However, the journey through college is not an easy one. There are many obstacles, long nights spent working on assignments, and endless thesis revisions.
“But look at your friends’ dreams to finish what they started and
earn their bachelor’s degrees, which finally led us to this day full of pride. Becoming a graduate is not the end of the dream. In fact, this marks the beginning of our first step toward pursuing other dreams. Believe me, if you can dream it, I believe you will, and surely, you’ll make it come true,” he explained.
He also conveyed a message about the significance of dreams and blessings in the educational journey. He described that dreams are a force that drives a person’s steps from within, while blessings in various forms guide the journey from the outside. He quoted a saying from his homeland, ‘Kabarakatina tana Wolio,’ a prayer often taught by parents and teachers to be recited when facing something important. This expression means relying on blessings so that God Almighty will open the path of life. For him, this philosophy serves as a constant reminder that every step a person takes always rests on blessings.
“And at this moment, all of us who are present are clear evidence of those blessings. Thank you, my late mother, up there, and my father sitting in the audience,” he said.
Ridho also expressed his hope that all the knowledge and experience gained during college would benefit society.
“As individuals who live by blessings, it is only fitting that we and our dreams become blessings for those around us,” he concluded.
Reportage by: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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