A happy hue radiated clearly from the face of Syarifah Nazwa Azalia Yahya (18), who will start a new chapter in her life. The girl from Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, will soon study at her dream campus, Gadjah Mada University (UGM).
“Nazwa successfully entered the Bachelor of Economics Study Program at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UGM without taking a test through the National Selection Based on Achievement (SNBP). Her joy grew even more when she earned a 100 percent subsidized tuition fee (Uang Kuliah Tunggal) scholarship, which exempts her from paying tuition fees throughout her studies.”
When met at her grandfather’s residence, which was not far from the center of Balikpapan City, Nazwa recounted the moment of the SNBP graduation announcement. She remembers very well that it was still in the month of Ramadan, to be precise, on the afternoon of March 18, 2025. At that time, she felt anxious and worried. It was 4:00 p.m., but she hadn’t dared to open the official SNBP announcement page.
“That afternoon, I surrendered to Allah because there was no expectation of acceptance. I kept praying to be sincere, whatever the result. Then, when I opened the announcement and saw blue, I immediately cried and hugged my aunt,” said the alumnus of SMA N 1 Balikpapan.
The Struggle to Chase a Dream
Since junior high school, Nazwa has dreamed of continuing her education at UGM. For her, UGM is not just a famous university. She sees this campus as a place where big dreams can grow.
She also shared her reason for choosing the Bachelor of Economics Program. The reason is simple: she likes calculating rather than memorizing, so she feels more suitable to enter this study program.
Nazwa is the first of four children. She grew up in a simple family in the South Balikpapan District. However, since junior high school, she decided to live with her grandfather and aunt to pursue her education in Balikpapan City. She made this decision, hoping to get closer to his goal of studying at UGM.
The road to life was not always smooth. Amid his struggle to achieve his dreams, he had to accept that not everything could go as expected. Her parents chose to live their own lives. Now, her mother and three younger siblings live in Pati Regency, Central Java. This condition did not discourage Nazwah. She continues to strive to realize her dreams.
Nazwa was determined to focus on her education. Every semester, she keeps her grades stable and improving. There are no special tips for studying; she routinely spends 2-3 hours every night reviewing the previous learning materials at school and taking tutoring outside of school. As a result, he made it to the top 10 in his class and eventually qualified for UGM.
“During high school, I focused on studying, improving my grades to enter through the UGM SNBP route,” she explained.
Nazwa felt happy again when she learned she was declared a 100 percent UKT Subsidy scholarship recipient. That way, she no longer worries about the cost of education during college.
“I thought it was a mistake that I got UKT 0, but it turned out that I got the 100% UKT subsidy. I immediately told my aunt and mother; they were happy to hear it,” she said.
Even so, anxiety still lingers in Nazwa’s mind. She did not qualify for the Indonesia Smart College Card (KIP-K) scholarship. The thought of how she would live in Jogja, away from her family, haunted her. However, behind the doubts, she planted the determination to keep going. He realizes that big dreams need bigger courage, too. Later, she will look for other scholarship opportunities. She firmly believes that the struggle is not over and that many doors of goodness can open anytime.
Keep Fighting
Now, Nazwa is preparing to start college at UGM, which is far from her family. She realizes there will be many challenges, but on the other hand, it opens up opportunities to grow.
“I’m trying to learn to be more independent, make friends, join organizations, and adapt quickly. I’m also researching about Jogja culture and campus life so that I have an idea of how to adapt,” explained Nazwa, who aspires to work in a state-owned enterprise after graduation.
She also conveyed a message to anyone currently struggling to pursue their dreams. She always believes that success will come for anyone who keeps trying and never gives up.
“For friends currently struggling, keep up the spirit, don’t give up easily. Every problem has a way, and as long as you try, don’t forget to pray,” she said.
Nazwa’s aunt, Syarifah Faradia Irzayana Yahya, could not hide her joy. Her niece was finally able to fulfill her dream to study at UGM. However, she worries about letting Nazwa go far away from her family.
“I’m happy because I finally decided to study at UGM. There are worries and sadness because the college is far away. However, Nazwa always assures me that she will not disappoint the family,” he said, hoping that Nazwa can undergo lectures smoothly and graduate on time.
FEB UGM Inclusive Campus
Nazwa stands among thousands of Indonesian students who earned a place at UGM. She has shown that limitations do not stop someone from pursuing the highest level of education. Aware that her journey was far from easy, she never allowed her circumstances to become an excuse to give up.
At UGM, the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) actively opens wide opportunities for students like Nazwa. Committed to inclusive, fair, and equitable education, FEB continues to expand access for all — including those from 3T (Disadvantaged, Frontier, and Outermost) regions, low-income families, and people with disabilities. This ongoing effort reflects the spirit of sustainable development that upholds education as a right for everyone.
Nazwa’s story goes beyond her admission to UGM. It tells of determination, of dreams pursued against all odds, and of the belief that education can unlock the door to a better future.
Reportage: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Sustainable Development Goals
