• About UGM
  • SIMASTER
  • SINTESIS
  • Public Information
  • SDGs
  • English
    • Bahasa Indonesia
    • English
Universitas Gadjah Mada Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business
  •  About Us
    • Overview
    • History of The Establishment
    • Mission & Vission
    • School Values
    • School Leadership
    • Senate Leadership
    • Department Leadership
    • Study Program Leadership
    • Unit Leadership
    • Faculty Advisory Board
    • Annual Report
    • Campus Facilities
    • Visual Identity
    • News Room
    • The 70th Anniversary
  • Academic Programs
    • Undergraduate Program
    • Master Program
    • Doctoral Program
    • Profession Program
    • Short Academic Programs
    • Professional Programs & Certification
    • International Undergraduate Program
    • International Doctorate in Business (IDB)
    • Academic Calendar
    • Rooms and Events
  • Faculty & Research
    • School Memberships
    • School Accreditation
    • International Networks
    • Faculty Members
    • Visiting Professor & Research Fellows
    • Professional Staffs
    • Publications
    • Published Journals
    • Working Papers
    • Fields of Study
    • Supporting Units
    • International Conference Partnership
    • Call for Papers
    • Community Service
    • Faculty Library
  • Admission
  • Home
  • News

The Story of the Children of Agricultural Workers Who were Victims of the Palu Tsunami

  • News
  • 24 April 2024, 17.04
  • By : Admin
Heni Ardianto

In 2018, Palu was hit by a devastating earthquake, tsunami, and liquefaction. Many people were affected by this natural disaster. One of them was Heni Ardianto (25), Management-MSc 2021, who was struggling to finish his bachelor’s degree at a state university in Palu. Surviving the earthquake and tsunami was a great blessing for him.

As the son of a farm laborer in a small village in Limbo Makmur, Bumi Raya Subdistrict, Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi, it was not easy for him to migrate to Palu to pursue higher education. The family’s modest economic condition made it difficult to realize Ardi’s dream of studying at the university.

But with solid determination and burning enthusiasm, Ardi can achieve his dream. He has completed the Master of Science in Management program at the Faculty of Economics and Business UGM. He completed his master’s degree with a GPA of 3.72 and cum laude. No less proudly, Ardi studied free of tuition fees thanks to the LPDP RI scholarship.

Ardi is the first child of Didik Iswanto (49) and Tiyarmi (45). His parents are from Prambanan, Central Java and have been trying their luck in Morowali, Central Sulawesi since 1983. They both work as farm laborers every day. Although he was born into a simple family, this did not stop Ardi from pursuing his dream of getting the best education possible. With perseverance, hard work, and the prayers of his parents, he broke the stigma that village children from remote areas outside of Java with mediocre economic conditions could study even to master’s level.

“Ever since I was little, I wanted to go to college. If you look at my parents’ mediocre economic conditions, it seems difficult, but I have the courage and strong determination to find out how to go to college,” he explained.

He understands the situation of his parents. However, this man, born in Limbo Makmur on August 2, 1998, has a strong desire to be educated to a higher level, far beyond his parents, who completed primary school. Through education, he believes he can change lives for the better.

“Mr. and Mrs. can only get education up to primary school. I want to go to high school so that I can improve my family’s conditions,” he said.

Aware of his family’s limited circumstances, Ardi also worked part-time while studying. He started as a teaching assistant for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, a team preparing strategic environmental studies (KLHS) in several districts in Central Sulawesi province, and a team preparing business feasibility analysis documents for several companies.

“In addition to increasing knowledge and experience, of course, it also increases one’s pocket money for college,” he said.

Family conditions with economic limitations always encouraged him. This situation became a trigger for him to be enthusiastic about pursuing education. He managed to join the ranks of outstanding students at school, which led him to receive educational scholarships from vocational school to master’s degree. While studying at SMKN 2 Bungku Barat, he won the 1st place in the National Applied Science Olympiad of Palu Province in 2015. Previously, in 2014, he also managed to win 1st place in the Palu Province 4 Pillar Quiz Competition. Thanks to his achievements, he received an educational scholarship from the Central Sulawesi Provincial Government in 2015-106.

Then, as an undergraduate at Tadulako University, he studied for free thanks to a Bidikmisi Scholarship from the government. This scholarship is given to outstanding students from underprivileged families. During his studies, he also won first place in the 2019 essay competition at Teuku Umar University, Aceh, and second place in the 2019 essay competition at Alauddin University Makassar, South Sulawesi.

While studying for his master’s degree, Ardi also actively participated in several international conferences. Some of them are the 15th Global Conference on Business and Social Sciences 2023 in Thailand, the International Conference on Business and Finance 2023 at UEH International University, Vietnam, and the 42nd EBES Conference 2023 in Lisbon.

The story of Ulfatun and Ardi is very inspiring. Although they were born into families with difficult economic conditions, they both proved that financial limitations are not an obstacle to achieving education up to university level. FEB UGM, as part of a higher education institution, has a firm commitment to achieving quality, equitable and inclusive higher education for all groups, including disadvantaged families, people with disabilities and 3T areas. This policy is implemented to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Reportage: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum 

SDGs 1 SDGs 2 SDGs 4 SDGs 10 SDGs 16 

Views: 251
Tags: SDG 1: No Poverty SDG 10: Reduced Inequalites SDG 16: Peace Justice And Strong Institutions SDG 2: Zero Hunger SDG 4: Quality Education

Related Posts

Apia Dewi Agustin

The Story of Apia, PMDSU Scholarship Recipient and Best Graduate of the Master of Science in Accounting FEB UGM

Graduation Friday, 25 July 2025

Do you still remember Apia Dewi Agustin? Her name once captured the public’s attention with her inspiring story. This young woman from a remote village in Magetan Regency, East Java, successfully pursued her undergraduate degree and then continued her Master’s and Doctoral studies at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), free of charge, thanks to her academic achievements.

Now, Apia has once again made her alma mater proud.

Primastuti Indah Suryani

Optimizing Social Media to Boost MSME Visibility

News Friday, 25 July 2025

Building a brand and reaching consumers no longer rely solely on conventional promotions. Social media has become a primary channel for shaping a business’s image.

Field Trip GSW 2025

GSW 2025 Invites International Students to Explore Industry and Art in Yogyakarta

News Friday, 25 July 2025

The clinking sound of metal echoes through a silver craft workshop in Kotagede, Yogyakarta. Skilled hands carefully hammer sheets of silver on a steel anvil.

Andar Danova L Goeltom

Green Jobs and Green Curriculum, the Key to Indonesia’s Tourism Future

News Thursday, 24 July 2025

Significant changes are taking place in the global tourism industry. Today’s travellers, especially younger generations and international tourists, are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their travel activities.

Latest News

  • The Story of Apia, PMDSU Scholarship Recipient and Best Graduate of the Master of Science in Accounting FEB UGM
    July 25, 2025
  • Optimizing Social Media to Boost MSME Visibility
    July 25, 2025
  • GSW 2025 Invites International Students to Explore Industry and Art in Yogyakarta
    July 25, 2025
  • Green Jobs and Green Curriculum, the Key to Indonesia’s Tourism Future
    July 24, 2025
  • Unemployment Rate Declines, FEB UGM Lecturer Says Decent Work Remains a Challenge
    July 24, 2025

Related Article

  • The Story of Apia, PMDSU Scholarship Recipient and Best Graduate of the Master of Science in Accounting FEB UGM
    July 25, 2025
  • Optimizing Social Media to Boost MSME Visibility
    July 25, 2025
  • GSW 2025 Invites International Students to Explore Industry and Art in Yogyakarta
    July 25, 2025
  • Green Jobs and Green Curriculum, the Key to Indonesia’s Tourism Future
    July 24, 2025
  • Unemployment Rate Declines, FEB UGM Lecturer Says Decent Work Remains a Challenge
    July 24, 2025
Universitas Gadjah Mada

Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business

Jln. Sosio Humaniora No.1, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Indonesia 55281

Map & Direction
More Contact Information

Department

  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Management

Faculty Directory

  • Public Information
  • Room Management
  • Asset Management
  • Cemetery Management

Alumni

  • Alumni Community
  • Alumni Services
  • Tracer Study
  • Jobs & Internships
  • Scholarships

Social Media

© 2025 Faculty of Economics and Business UGM

DisclaimerSite Map

💬 Need help?
1
FEB UGM Official WhatsApp
Hello 👋
Can we help you?
Open chat