The actress who portrayed Atun in the 90s TV series Si Doel Anak Sekolahan shared her story of perseverance after having a disability. Her story inspired all people with disabilities to continue pursuing their dreams and creating.

After being diagnosed with diabetes for 18 years, Karno underwent intensive care with several surgeries. The treatment caused much of the skin tissue on her leg to die, and there were concerns that it would affect other parts of her body. 

Eventually, Karno’s right leg was amputated after various considerations. This decision initially shook her, but Karno began to adjust to her new condition with the support of those close to her. 

“I’ve only been disabled for about two years. I admit it took time to accept it all,” Karno revealed.

Now, she maintains a strong will to live and spreads awareness about inclusivity for people with disabilities. After a period of inactivity, she returned to creating content on her YouTube channel to share inspirational stories and offer support to people with disabilities.

Dr. Wuri Handayani, a lecturer at UGM’s Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM) and a campus inclusivity activist, shared her story in the discussion. She explained that she has faced many challenges since first becoming disabled. 

Dr. Handayani, who was then a pharmacy student at Universitas Airlangga, had a hobby of mountain climbing. Unfortunately, she had an accident, falling from a height and becoming paralyzed. 

“At first, the doctors didn’t tell me I was permanently paralyzed because they wanted to give me time to accept it. So I thought it was just temporary,” Dr. Handayani explained.

After the accident, the faculty oddly suggested her transfer to another faculty. She was confused, as there were no intellectual or academic issues following her accident. 

However, the faculty did not explain, only stating that pharmacy would be difficult to pursue given Dr. Handayani’s condition.

Gradually, the rejection from the faculty grew, including from her learning environment. 

“I used to need to be carried to every class because there were no elevators or wheelchair access to the first and second floors. But even in class, I felt rejection, even from the lecturers,” Dr. Handayani added.

Finally, after four semesters, she started in the Accounting Department of the Faculty of Economics. Her choice of accounting was based on the minimal physical activities required and its mobility-friendly nature.

Dr. Handayani graduated cum laude and built a career. Coming from a family of educators, she had aspired to become a teacher since childhood. 

Unfortunately, the road she faced was steep and difficult. Despite her outstanding academic achievements, she applied several times but was repeatedly rejected. 

“Previously, the rejections came without explanations. But at one point, I received a letter explaining that I was rejected because I used a wheelchair,” Dr. Handayani said.

That letter became her starting point in fighting for disability rights from the government. Dr. Handayani filed a lawsuit with the State Administrative Court (PTUN) in Surabaya, challenging the notion that people with disabilities are not physically and mentally healthy. 

She continued to fight for this claim, and in 2009, she won the lawsuit. 

“Many people thought I was only fighting for myself. But at that time, I wanted people with disabilities to be given opportunities to get jobs,” Dr. Handayani explained.

Suti Karno and Dr. Handayani concluded their discussion by reflecting on their efforts to raise awareness about disabilities. Dr. Handayani continues her advocacy by promoting inclusivity at UGM, including founding ULD UGM, which she initiated to provide a space for people with disabilities at UGM to develop their skills.

Although only officially launched at the end of 2024, ULD UGM had been initiated long before, based on the mandate of Law Number 8 of 2016. 

Individuals with disabilities, including students, staff, or lecturers, can access services at ULD. In addition, ULD UGM will become a research center advocating for disability rights on a broader scale. 

“The hope is that this can be a platform for voicing and realizing an inclusive campus,” Dr. Handayani added.

Author: Tasya

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Artikel Suti Karno and Wuri Handayani: Advocating for Disability Rights Through Stories of Resilience pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Collaborative research between students and faculty on gender studies is consistently encouraged to serve as a reference for gender studies in Indonesia and globally.

In addition to promoting research publications, female members of UGM’s academic community have equal rights and opportunities to receive student support and facilities during their studies at UGM. 

One example is the dissemination of information on handling sexual violence for students before assignments and deployment for the Community Service Program (KKN PPM). 

UGM also provides the necessary support for students to attend events requiring female representation and advocacy.

EduRank has recognized UGM’s success in promoting gender studies and strengthening the role of women in education and learning, placing UGM as the top university in Indonesia for Gender Studies. 

Internationally, UGM ranks 612th in the world. 

Based on the 2024 ranking results, UGM is among 49 universities with the best Gender Studies programs nationally and internationally.

Professor Indra Wijaya Kusuma, Head of the University Quality Assurance and Reputation Unit (SPMRU) at UGM, welcomed the results of EduRank’s assessment of gender studies. 

He explained that the ranking was based on indicators of graduate quality and research performance. 

“This indicator reflects a combined percentage, with graduates contributing 10 percent and research performance accounting for 45 percent,” he said on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.

According to Professor Kusuma, the ranking agency uses the OpenAlex database as a proxy to gather scientific publications and citation results. 

Additionally, 45% of the ranking is based on non-academic excellence indicators.

Professor Sri Wiyanti Eddyono, a researcher from the Center for Legal, Gender, and Social Studies at UGM’s Faculty of Law (FH UGM), stated that UGM conducts extensive gender research that influences publications and curricula and has a societal impact through policy advocacy. 

“The cited publications indicate that UGM actively promotes gender mainstreaming and integrates gender issues into many faculties,” she said.

Research on law, gender, and social humanities needs to be supported by best practices and publications that benefit society. 

Moreover, UGM places special emphasis on the issue of preventing and protecting against sexual violence. 

“These best practices are one of the indicators that reflect the pioneering initiatives in sexual violence prevention on campus,” she explained.

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The second-place award went to Universitas Victory Sorong, while Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala Surabaya secured third place.  

Dr. Wuri Handayani, Head of UGM’s Disability Services Unit (ULD UGM), expressed pride and gratitude for Belmawa Ristek Dikti’s acknowledgment. 

She noted that in its 2024 proposal for a grant to establish a Disability Services Unit at universities, ULD UGM successfully conducted several activities, including a benchmarking study to the Disability Study and Services Center at Universitas Brawijaya. 

“This study aimed to explore how they provide proper accommodations for students with disabilities,” she stated at UGM on Wednesday (Dec. 18).  

Additionally, UGM has been creating an inclusive campus journey video since 2006. The initiative to establish an inclusive campus was furthered by forming a Student Activity Unit for Disabilities in 2012 and officially establishing ULD UGM in 2024. 

UGM has also conducted assessments to identify the needs of students with disabilities, aiming to pinpoint their challenges and determine necessary accommodations to enhance their learning experience. 

“The results of these assessments are sent to and discussed with the vice deans for academic affairs of each faculty and school to provide appropriate accommodations. We’ve also drafted short-, medium-, and long-term work programs for ULD,” Dr. Handayani explained.  

She views this award as a reflection of ULD UGM’s continued promotion of inclusivity in higher education. Dr. Handayani hopes the experience can serve as a lesson for other universities that have yet to establish similar units. 

“We aim to fulfill the mandate of ULD’s establishment as outlined in Rector Regulation No. 19/2024, focusing on advocacy, facilitation, and assessment for students with disabilities at UGM to help them achieve their full potential,” she stated.  

Dr. Handayani aspires to make ULD UGM a center of excellence on disability issues in Indonesia while acknowledging that this goal requires collective effort. 

“We always seek support and input from all stakeholders,” she added.  

ULD UGM operates under the Aspiration, Connection, Innovation, and Inclusion tagline. 

“Aspiration represents our willingness to listen to feedback from all parties. Connection highlights our need for broad collaboration. Innovation emphasizes developing new solutions to support inclusivity, and Inclusion ensures no one is left behind, including individuals with disabilities,” she elaborated.  

Despite receiving the award, Dr. Handayani acknowledged ongoing challenges. These include insufficient awareness and understanding among lecturers, staff, and non-disabled students about inclusive education and the specific needs and accommodations for students with disabilities. 

Furthermore, UGM’s infrastructure still lacks full accessibility, which hampers the independence of students with disabilities.

“We also face limitations in human resources; the number of personnel managing ULD UGM remains inadequate to provide optimal services,” she concluded.  

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The inauguration of the ULD office demonstrates UGM’s continued commitment to becoming an inclusive campus. As a disability-friendly campus, UGM provides easy access to education and inclusive services for academic communities.

Professor Sri Suning Kusumawardani, the Director of Learning and Student Affairs, the Directorate General of Higher Education of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Me. Summer Xia, the Country Director of the British Council, and Dr. Wuri Handayani, the Head of ULD, were present at the inauguration.

Rector Emilia said that with the inauguration of the ULD office, UGM aims to create a conducive learning environment. The establishment of the ULD is a form of responsibility from UGM to provide conducive learning services for everyone. 

“What has been done until today is a form of UGM’s responsibility, and the issue of inclusiveness is one of many, especially related to services for people with disabilities,” she said.

UGM is committed to three main principles and cares about an inclusive environment with various policies. 

First, education is a right of every citizen regardless of anything. Each learner has the same opportunities and chances to gain knowledge. 

Second, UGM appreciates diversity. Everyone is unique, and each cannot be compared to one another. 

“So what is said to be a weakness is not actually a weakness in the true sense. However, it is a form of uniqueness that may provide advantages in other aspects. Therefore, diversity is a strength,” said the rector.

The third principle is justice. With fairness in education, no group is marginalized or left behind. 

“I think later, this ULD will be one form of implementation of inclusive education at UGM with various activities,” explained Rector Emilia.

Professor Kusumawardani hopes ULD will become a concrete manifestation of UGM’s commitment to providing inclusive and equitable services for all academic communities, especially friends with disabilities. 

Everyone realizes that education is a right for everyone, regardless of physical, mental, or sensory differences.

Professor Kusumawardani said that as one of Indonesia’s oldest and leading universities, the ULD is expected to be an example for other universities in the country. 

“The existence of the ULD is not only a symbol of inclusivity but also a driving force to ensure that everyone has equal access to learning, creating, and contributing in the campus environment,” she said.

Summer Xia was pleased to be able to attend the inauguration of the ULD at the UGM Campus. She considered that establishing the ULD is a milestone for UGM, which continues to be committed to creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for people with disabilities. 

“I am proud of this cooperation. The support of the British Council through the UK Alumni Access Social Grant makes this initiative a reality. With the dedication of Dr. Wuri Handayani, ensuring the realization of an inclusive environment and access to services for students with disabilities can be realized and become a hope,” she said.

Summer Xia said the inauguration of the ULD office opens up opportunities for equal success for all UGM students. This service unit can remove barriers and empower students with disabilities on the UGM campus.

Dr. Handayani, the Head of ULD, reported that UGM currently has 48 students with disabilities. These students consist of 21 women and 17 men with various types of disabilities. 

“Types include physical, deaf, blind, and mental. They also come from various faculties and various levels of education, ranging from vocational, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs,” she said.

She hopes that ULD at UGM can become a center of excellence in disability issues both nationally and internationally. ULD UGM’s tagline has four principles. The first is an aspiration, and ULD UGM wants to explore the aspirations of all parties so that ULD can advance. 

Second, ULD UGM wants to encourage connection. ULD needs cooperation with various parties. Third, ULD UGM wants to develop innovation in serving. Fourth, ULD UGM aspires to respond to things that are related to disability issues with policies.

“We want to be at the forefront of moving the institution towards inclusion, where everyone will not be left behind,” Dr. Handayani explained.

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In fact, there are many types of sign languages in Indonesia. Some of them include Jakarta Sign Language and Yogyakarta Sign Language. 

Raihana Mahira Dhaniswari, a member of the Indonesian Sign Language Center (Pusbisindo), explained this during sign language training held at Multimedia Room 1 in UGM’s Central Office on Friday (Dec. 6).

According to her, the sign language used by people with hearing disabilities is very diverse, so it is important to recognize and learn each sign language in order to communicate with individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. 

“Many think that sign language is a universal language used by Deaf people, but in reality, sign language can vary by region. For instance, Jakarta Sign Language, Jogja Sign Language, Hong Kong Sign Language, and American Sign Language or ASL exist. So, the signs can indeed be different in different areas,” she explained.

Dhanis, as she is commonly called, noted that those who can hear can learn sign language gradually, taking their time. If they encounter difficulties, they can ask people with hearing disabilities directly. 

“Deaf people are generally willing to teach because it is all related to their access and facilities,” she said.

In the training, Dhanis delivered a presentation titled “Introduction to Indonesian Sign Language,” where the participants were invited to learn sign language together. They studied sign language, from the alphabet to expressions and greetings used in sign language.

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The event attracted hundreds of participants from various educational institutions and the general public. 

It successfully shared best practices of students with disabilities studying abroad, inspiring and motivating others to enhance inclusivity.

The webinar featured four inspiring speakers with disabilities. 

The first speaker, Dr. Wuri Handayani, a lecturer at UGM’s Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM) and the head of ULD, discussed the challenges and opportunities faced by the newly established unit. 

Dr. Handayani, who has a physical disability, highlighted that ULD UGM has been providing support even before students with disabilities are admitted, such as assistance during entrance exams. 

The services also extend beyond academic matters. 

She commended UGM’s inclusive culture, emphasizing that students with disabilities have been able to graduate under the same conditions as their peers without disabilities.

“The quality of these students is no different from that of students without disabilities. They follow the same academic path and excel in their studies until graduation,” Dr. Handayani remarked.

She acknowledged that ULD UGM has vast potential for development, as the university leadership has committed to disability issues through its 2022–2027 strategic plan. 

However, challenges remain, including low awareness among students without disabilities about disabilities and the lack of fully accessible infrastructure and integrated information systems for disability services across UGM’s campus.

Regarding students with disabilities studying abroad, Alexander Farrel Rasendriya Haryono, a student at the University of Leeds majoring in Law and Social Justice, shared his experience. 

Haryono, a UGM’s Faculty of Law (FH UGM) graduate with a visual impairment, said the application process was not complicated. 

He only needed to submit documents, take an IELTS test, and write a personal statement. 

He also benefited greatly from the LPDP scholarship, which waives the academic aptitude test for individuals with disabilities.

“My university is very proactive regarding disabilities. I have a disability coordinator who provides tremendous support,” he explained.

During his studies, Haryono had a personal assistant to aid his mobility and a notetaker in every class to help with lectures. 

Additionally, his aspirations were accommodated through a monthly student panel for both students with and without disabilities. 

Although adapting to a new learning system posed challenges, the facilities and support he received significantly helped him. 

“Support from family, fellow Indonesians, and disability services made things much easier. I hope UGM can add similar facilities,” he said.

Another speaker, Dr. Luthfi Azizatunnisa, a London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine student, also shared her story. 

A wheelchair user, she is currently a lecturer at UGM’s Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM). Pursuing studies in Epidemiology and Population Health, she highlighted the numerous supportive facilities at the University of London, such as mental health support, counseling services, accessible dormitories, financial aid for individuals with disabilities, and career services.

One unique initiative she found particularly noteworthy was the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) training provided for all campus members. 

She also appreciated the early assessment and learning agreement processes, which outlined her specific needs, such as extra time for exams due to weak fingers. 

This agreement was integrated into the university’s information system and implemented whenever she enrolled in classes. 

“I think UGM could adopt similar support systems,” she said.

The final speaker, Phieter Angdika, a Deaf student pursuing a Master’s in Sign Language Education at Gallaudet University in the United States, shared his experiences. 

Gallaudet is the only university globally designed specifically for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. 

It also accommodates students with visual impairments, physical disabilities, mental health issues, autism, and learning delays.

According to Angdika, Gallaudet thrives due to the inclusivity ingrained in American culture. 

“Hearing individuals can still enroll here, as interpreters are available to assist them,” he explained.

Angdika received a full scholarship covering tuition, living expenses, transportation, and graduation fees. 

He noted the challenges of living in Indonesia, where opportunities for individuals with disabilities, especially in terms of employment and scholarships, are limited. 

For instance, he could not apply for the LPDP scholarship due to age restrictions and requirements like interviews and English listening tests, which were not deaf-friendly.

In contrast, Gallaudet’s scholarship process was accommodating. It involved an application form with sign language video access, a sign language-based test, and a sign language interview.

“I believe we should learn from developed countries and eliminate linguistic systems that are not inclusive for the Deaf,” Angdika emphasized.

Author: Bolivia

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Although retired, Pudjiastuti has returned to business while actively engaging in social and environmental activities.  

Born on Jan. 15, 1965, in Pangandaran, West Java, Pudjiastuti grew up in a family that ran a livestock business. 

She made the bold decision to leave school during junior high and start learning about trade—a significant choice not everyone could make. 

She shared this experience during her visit to Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, at the “Rembug Perempuan Jogja” event.  

“Back in school, I felt there wasn’t enough space to move and grow. It wasn’t that the system was wrong; I just decided to resign from school and do what I wanted,” Pudjiastuti explained.  

Armed with determination and self-confidence, Pudjiastuti began selling goods in Pangandaran. 

Besides offering bed covers, she ventured into selling various natural products from the southern coast of Java, such as fish, cardamom, and cloves. 

She recalled that Indonesia’s natural resources were abundant at the time and managed entirely by local farmers and fishers.  

Her initial capital for selling fish came from selling jewelry worth IDR 750,000. 

However, due to the small scale of her business, Pudjiastuti faced challenges obtaining bank loans. Despite the obstacles, she remained persistent in pursuing her fisheries business. 

Surprisingly, during Indonesia’s monetary crisis, her fisheries business thrived, opening up opportunities in the export market.  

Indonesia’s Waters Invaded by Foreign Vessels  

Soon after, fishery catch drastically declined, affecting Pudjiastuti’s business. 

“In 2001, the fish stock dropped dramatically. Initially, I didn’t understand why, but it turned out the fish in the sea were depleted because the government allowed foreign vessels to operate in Indonesia,” Pudjiastuti shared.  

Unregulated foreign or illegal fishing was the primary cause of the dwindling fish stock. 

Foreign vessels illegally entered Indonesian waters and exploited marine resources, not only catching market-ready fish but also juvenile fish, which should have been left untouched. 

In one case, foreign vessels harvested fish larvae from Java’s southern coast and transported them to Vietnam, where they were cultivated and turned into a significant export competitor.  

“I said those fish larvae, the country’s genetic resources, should never be taken. Things we can’t yet replicate with technology must not be exploited. Only ten fishing licenses were issued back then, but 100 vessels showed up,” Pudjiastuti explained.  

She emphasized the need to protect Indonesian waters to ensure they remain productive, effective, and efficient, especially in the capture fisheries sector, which is highly sought after by other countries. 

This conviction drove her to tighten fishing licenses in Indonesian waters during her tenure as Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.  

Extraordinary Leadership of Women  

As a successful entrepreneur, Pudjiastuti encouraged all women in Indonesia to be fearless in making life choices. 

Opportunities won’t come without sacrifice, and being a woman should never hinder anyone from pursuing their dreams or starting a business.  

“Women are special. We have greater empathy, which makes us better at business,” Pudjiastuti stated.  

While biological and physical differences exist between men and women, these do not determine success without effort. 

She added that women need to develop strong leadership skills essential for business and family management.  

“Women should not be relegated to the background; they have the same capabilities as men. However, you must be responsible. You need to be a trustworthy individual with the knowledge to earn respect,” Pudjiastuti emphasized.  

She acknowledged that business is never easy, but that doesn’t mean women cannot succeed in business while being homemakers. 

She believes family plays a vital role in empowering women.  

“Love your family and cherish them. If you’re happy and content, your energy will grow. Strong love, togetherness, and mutual support are essential,” she concluded.  

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Therefore, recognizing the signs of toxic relationships is crucial.

“Toxic relationships have clear signs: feelings of guilt, unresolved conflicts, and a loss of independence,” said Dr. Restu Tri Handoyo, a clinical psychologist from the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, during a seminar titled “Toxic No More: Building Relationships Without Scars” held on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. 

According to Dr. Handoyo, healthy relationships significantly contribute to mental well-being, offering emotional support, promoting personal growth, and fostering happiness. 

“Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect, support, and balance,” he emphasized.

Dr. Ratna Noviani, a lecturer and researcher in Cultural and Media Studies at UGM’s Graduate School, warned about the traps of toxic relationships often perpetuated through social media.

As she noted, the media frequently romanticizes toxic relationships, especially manipulation.

“We must recognize violence on social media, such as doxing and dominance practices. It’s essential to enhance digital literacy to avoid the traps of unhealthy relationships that often emerge in the virtual world,” she explained.

Livia Iskandar, Director of Pulih Foundation, shared alarming statistics: one in four Indonesian women has experienced sexual violence. 

Most victims do not report these incidents due to victim-blaming, perpetrators being close acquaintances, or threats from the perpetrators.

In response to this issue, Iskandar urged all parties to empower women who have experienced violence by providing psychological, medical, and legal support.

The seminar, organized by the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Task Force (Satgas PPKS) of Universitas Gadjah Mada in collaboration with the Institut Français Indonesia (IFI) Yogyakarta and UGM’s Integrated Health Services Bureau (BPKT), aimed to raise awareness and offer support to victims of violence. 

Additionally, it encouraged the community to foster empathy, empowerment, and a violence-free society by reminding everyone that no one walks alone.

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Unfortunately, most of these businesses remain in the micro category due to limited opportunities to work elsewhere. To strengthen the role of women in MSMEs, UGM has initiated women empowerment programs supported by cross-sector collaborations involving thousands of students.  

This time, UGM partnered with the Yogyakarta Office for Women Empowerment, Child Protection, and Population Control (DP3AP2) and Exporthub.id to elevate MSMEs into the digital and global market arenas. 

The program resulted in 51 MSMEs onboarding global e-commerce platforms, 102 MSMEs onboarding local e-commerce platforms, and three products joining Exporthub.id as partners, entering local and global markets.  

Erlina Hidayati Sumardi, Head of the Yogyakarta DP3AP2 Office, highlighted that women possess significant potential and opportunities to drive the nation’s economy but still face many challenges. She emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to build women’s enthusiasm, knowledge, and skills to propel MSME products into global markets.  

Amalia Prabowo, President Director of Exporthub.id, noted that while women manage 90% of MSMEs, only 24% currently utilize e-commerce. 

Indonesia is projected to dominate the Southeast Asian e-commerce market by 2025. Therefore, training and mentoring are essential for MSME products to compete in the global marketplace.  

Challenges for women in MSMEs often arise from limited time to manage their businesses. Many cases involve homemakers who spend significant time on production and family care, leaving minimal resources for marketing, a critical aspect of any business. 

Consequently, many MSMEs are treated as secondary income sources, merely fulfilling daily needs.  

“Not only training but also close mentoring is necessary. In collaboration with UGM, we have engaged 1,600 students who have proven capable of generating IDR 1.5–5 million per week. And that’s only 10% of the commission fee,” Prabowo explained during the Jogja Women’s Forum held at Grha Sabha Pramana on Thursday (Nov. 28).  

She added that this collaborative initiative offers a solution for homemakers looking to grow their businesses while maintaining a steady revenue stream. By delegating marketing operations to affiliate students, business owners can focus on production and product innovation. 

Prabowo stressed the importance of evaluating and innovating products to ensure they remain attractive to consumers. She hopes the partnership between Exporthub.id and UGM can provide a formula for overcoming women’s barriers to scaling up MSMEs.  

In alignment, Professor Wening Udasmoro, UGM’s Vice Rector for Education and Teaching, stated that this collaboration reflects UGM’s mission to advance the nation’s intellectual development. 

“Universities act as enabling factors. We need to motivate economic activities for women and ensure capacity building,” she concluded.  

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She felt overwhelmed after attending UGM’s Bachelor and Applied Bachelor Graduation Ceremony on Thursday (Nov. 21) at Grha Sabha Pramana. 

She held tightly onto her Bachelor of Economics degree from the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM).

For Yogi, earning a degree from UGM was no easy feat. Hailing from Awabutu in the Paniai District of Central Papua Province, she had always aspired to receive the best education despite coming from an underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) region. 

After finishing elementary school, she continued her studies at SMP Santa Maria in Bandung. When she entered grade IX, she returned to Jayapura to complete her education at YPPK Kristus Raja Junior High School. 

Fortunately, she received the ADEM (Affirmative Middle Education) scholarship, allowing her to continue her studies at SMA Negeri 1 Bojong in Pekalongan. After graduating from high school, she received the Affirmative Higher Education scholarship, which brought her to FEB UGM.

The daughter of Jonas Yogi and Theresia Gobai admitted that the early days of her university studies were challenging. She experienced stress and had difficulty adjusting to campus life. 

“I doubted whether I could make it. Seeing my friends’ backgrounds shocked me, and I felt mentally overwhelmed. I felt insecure, but reality wasn’t as bad as I imagined. My friends on campus were very helpful and supportive,” she recalled.

Yogi expressed her gratitude for the openness and kindness of her friends at FEB UGM. They were always willing to study together and provide guidance when she had trouble understanding certain subjects. 

“They were very helpful whenever I didn’t understand something. I could ask them questions, and they even allowed me to photocopy their materials. So, I didn’t feel alone or left behind,” explained her.

Yogi’s university journey didn’t go smoothly. In 2019, she had to pause her studies due to widespread racial tensions against Papuan students in various regions. 

As a result, she took a break during her second year and returned to her hometown. 

“I considered transferring to another university. But after some thought, I realized my sacrifices were too great to give up, both physically and emotionally. Fortunately, I could persevere with my family and friends’ support,” she said.

After obtaining her degree, Yogi plans to return to her hometown of Awabutu to serve her community. She explained that her hometown is rich in potential but has not been fully developed. 

With the education she has achieved, she dreams of making the area a prime destination and improving the welfare of its residents. 

“Awabutu is like Dieng, with fertile land and a beautiful lake. If well-managed, it could become a major destination and help boost the local economy,” she added.

Although there are many schools in her hometown, she noted that accessibility to education services remains difficult, especially for students living in villages across the lake. Yogi’s mother, a counseling guidance teacher, has even opened her home to accommodate children who need a place to stay to continue their education. 

“I hope to return to Awabutu and contribute to both education and the local economy,” she concluded.

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