Her entrepreneurial journey began with Porto Photo (@portophoto.id), a self-photo studio and photobooth service offering affordable, high-quality photos, which she co-founded with two fellow students from the same program. 

“Porto Studio has an offline studio in Pogung, and it seems to have opened doors for me to venture into the food and beverage business,” the student said during a conversation at FEB UGM on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.

Driven by her ambition, Amanda, as she is commonly called, soon expanded into the culinary business by launching Cherries Bites (@cheeries.bites), which sells brownies, chiffon cakes, and creamy sago online.

She later opened Paspa (@paspa.yk), a pasta and Zuppa shop in Condongcatur. In the same area, she launched Mentaikudimsum (@mentaikudimsum), a restaurant specializing in mental dim sum.

Amanda was thrilled to receive a grant to manage EB Café, specifically Milkymoo, a business selling milk products, ice cream, and egg waffles. 

“This will soon operate at the EB Canteen, alongside Pisang Saji, which we launched in front of UNY’s Sports Hall at the end of January 2025,” she explained.

Reflecting on her success in managing six businesses at a young age, Amanda shared that her motivation for entrepreneurship stemmed from her childhood experiences watching her parents run a food and beverage business.

Since elementary school, Amanda had been trying her hand at selling various items, from stationery to slime and frozen food. 

“What started as experimenting gradually became a habit. I found it enjoyable and productive to spend my free time doing something that generates income,” Amanda said.

Amanda attributes her success to teamwork and choosing the right business partners. 

“Having the right team allows you to learn many things. If I hadn’t met my current partners, I might not have come this far,” she added.

She also expressed gratitude for her talent and ability to juggle both studies and business at a young age. 

Known for her determination and perseverance, Amanda always strives to do her best and keep learning.

Like other successful students, Amanda revealed that managing her time between lectures and business was key. 

She uses a detailed to-do list and prioritizes tasks accordingly. 

“I try to create a detailed to-do list and tackle everything based on priority,” she explained.

Amanda is thankful for the immense support she has received from her family, close friends, and the FEB UGM academic environment. 

Her friends at FEB UGM describe her as highly supportive and hardworking.

Amanda credits several courses for contributing to her business success, especially those related to marketing and operations. 

“At first, I thought entrepreneurship was just about making products and selling them, but after studying at FEB UGM, I realized there are many other aspects, like human resource management, finance, and marketing, that are essential for building brand awareness,” she shared.

Looking ahead, Amanda plans to continue growing her businesses. 

Despite challenges and uncertainties, she feels content with her current path. 

“Through entrepreneurship, I feel I can contribute and provide job opportunities for others,” she said.

For students aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Amanda advises not to hesitate and to keep trying. 

She recommends starting by gathering as much information as possible about the business they want to pursue. 

“Remember, perfection doesn’t have to be achieved on the first step. Keep learning and improving over time. Don’t worry about what others say. If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,” Amanda concluded.

Reporters: FEB UGM/Najwah Ariella Puteri & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Lintang

Artikel UGM Student Amanda Divanty Excels in Studies While Leading Six Businesses pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

If not executed carefully, it could impact the national economy by lowering public purchasing power, creating investment uncertainty, limiting job creation, and reducing labor productivity.

Dr. Akhmad Akbar Susamto, a lecturer at UGM’s Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), warned the government about the macroeconomic effects of these budget cuts. 

He emphasized that cutting funds, especially in productive sectors like essential infrastructure, education, and health, could hinder long-term economic growth. 

“These sectors have a significant multiplier effect on the economy. If budget cuts are not done selectively, they can negatively affect public investment, job creation, and labor productivity,” Dr. Susamto said on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

In addition to economic growth, social stability and public welfare may also be impacted. 

Social programs related to protection, subsidies, or assistance for vulnerable groups should not be the main targets for budget cuts. 

“If cuts are too aggressive in these sectors, public purchasing power could decline, reducing domestic consumption and slowing economic recovery,” he explained.

Dr. Susamto noted that if the economic recovery slows, the sustainability of fiscal policy will heavily influence investor perceptions of investing in Indonesia. 

Therefore, budget cuts should be accompanied by clear strategies to maintain economic stability. 

“We must avoid creating uncertainty among businesses. Investors and the private sector need reassurance that the government remains committed to policies that support economic growth,” he stated.

Dr. Susamto agreed that the current budget cuts under the Prabowo-Gibran administration are necessary to maintain economic stability. 

Budget reductions for fiscal efficiency are understandable, especially in light of the unhealthy fiscal situation due to large deficits and increased funding needs for priority programs like MBG and to avoid excessive pressure on government debt.

However, he cautioned that the policy must be implemented carefully to avoid reducing the national economy’s long-term capacity. 

“What’s more important is ensuring that every rupiah of the available budget is used optimally to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth,” he concluded.

Author: Jelita Agustine  

Editor: Gusti Grehenson  

Post-editor: Lintang

Photo: Media Indonesia

Artikel UGM Economist Assesses the Economic Impact of National Budget Cuts pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Issues have arisen regarding budget allocation, menu choices, and the readiness of catering providers. 

Addressing these concerns, Dr. Revrisond Baswir, a senior economist from UGM’s Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), stated that this program is an extraordinary breakthrough that should have been started long ago. 

“The nutritious meal program is an extraordinary breakthrough in my view. Why? Because it asserts that the essence of development is human development,” he said during an interview at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.

Dr. Baswir further explained that development should not be separated from people, as many often think that development and people are unrelated.

But in reality, they go hand in hand and influence each other.

From an economic standpoint, Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia clearly mandates that the nation carry out what is referred to as economic democratization.

Therefore, the people should be positioned as subjects, not merely objects, within the Indonesian economy. 

Operationally, this means that people as subjects must have access to means of production and capital to support economic growth. 

“In Indonesia, it’s not enough for the people to just be workers,” he clarified.

Dr. Baswir identified three types of capital that people should possess:  intellectual, institutional, and material capital. 

These should be fulfilled sequentially, starting with intellectual capital, which can be cultivated through the nutritious meal program. 

Furthermore, he added, this program can empower people, especially those in regions outside the capital. Indonesia’s varied regional conditions cannot be treated the same.

Dr. Baswir believes that the free nutritious meals program can lead to decentralization, where local governments manage the program based on their region’s specific conditions. 

This would allow the circulation of money to stay within the regions, helping to balance the local economy. 

Additionally, this opens up opportunities to empower local communities by recruiting people through cooperation, volunteerism, and various job opportunities related to the program. 

However, he emphasized that this program should not burden the people or local budgets. 

“Don’t just shift the responsibility to the regions because (they) don’t have the funds. The program is significant, and some are worried—what is the maximum allocation limit?” Dr. Baswir asked.

The economist, who is also the former head of UGM’s Center for People’s Economy Studies, urged the government to save money, avoid wastefulness, and be more selective in spending. 

The government should find ways to increase revenue to fund the program without resorting to borrowing or cutting other budget areas that would burden the people. 

“The people should not become the victims. The challenge is to provide nutritious meals at an affordable cost,” he added.

One cost-saving measure the government could take is dissolving unnecessary institutions, particularly within the government. 

He said many of these institutions are not essential but continue to receive funding that could be better allocated to this program.

Finally, he reminded the public that sovereignty lies in the hands of the people. Citizens should not remain passive about government policies, as their voices are essential in a country that belongs to them. 

“People often feel like beggars in the economic field, but it’s their right. This program is part of their basic human rights, not just political and social rights,” he emphasized.

According to him, the program is not an act of government charity but rather a fulfillment of the people’s basic human rights. Therefore, he hopes that the people will become more aware of their role and actively participate by voicing their opinions and ideas.

Author: Leony  

Editor: Gusti Grehenson  

Post-editor: Lintang

Photographs by: Jelita

Artikel Free Meal Program and Budget Efficiency Should Not Come at People’s Expense pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The fourteen students are Apriana Vika Vianbara (Management 2021), Virdza Anditha Arya Putri (Management 2023), Muhammad Faza Naufal (Management 2022), Ando Fanda Belvian (Accounting 2022), Fazmi Rizki Al Ghifari (Management 2024), Ibnu Zidan Alfarij (Accounting 2024), and Azzumaraa Akmalia (Management 2024).

The group also includes Jonathan Cahaya Kristianto (Accounting 2024), Paulina Berliana Ananto (Management 2022), Maria Erika Widierasti (Management 2022), M. Zhorif Asyraf (Management 2022), Muhammad Alfie Ramdhan (Management 2022), Shalom Emmanuel Levy Atie (Management 2022), and Desi Indah Lestari (Management 2022). 

These students received support from the FEB UGM Career and Student Development Unit (CSDU), including administrative services, mentoring, and funding.

During the program, participants had the opportunity to learn from and engage with experts, visit various startups and incubators, attend workshops and entrepreneurship training, explore local cultures, network with startup founders, and participate in pitching sessions.

One of the participants, M. Zhorif Asyraf, explained that he and his teammates were placed in a pitching group of five members from different universities. 

The team division aimed to create a collaborative atmosphere and enrich participants’ experiences with diverse backgrounds. 

“I feel lucky to have participated in the NUS Startup Ecosystem Program because I was able to take part in this activity and gain new insights and experiences,” he said at FEB UGM on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.

According to Asyraf, the opportunity to gain international exposure broadened his horizons and deepened his understanding of the global business and startup ecosystem. 

“This experience has given me the chance to interact with students from various universities with different backgrounds,” he added.

Reporters: FEB UGM/Shofi Hawa Anjani & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Lintang

Artikel 14 UGM Students Participate in NUS Startup Ecosystem Program pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

He observed that many of his friends loved dim sum but struggled to find a restaurant that offered both satisfying flavors and affordable prices. This insight inspired him to start his own restaurant to fill that gap in the market.

Buyung, an alumnus of the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) in Management, UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), class of 2019, acknowledged that his success in building this business went through a long process. He started the venture while still a student. 

“It was exactly in 2020 when I began this business with my classmate, Ian Wirawan Jamesie,” he said on Thursday (Jan. 30).

According to Buyung, his long-standing dream was to venture into the restaurant business. With dedication, the business has grown, and it now has four branches in three major cities: Yogyakarta, Semarang, and Solo.

Buyung explained that developing Taigersprung emerged from a dim sum food market gap. 

“That’s where the idea came from to open a dim sum restaurant that tasted good and was affordable for students,” he explained.

Buyung admitted that he had a strong entrepreneurial spirit because he came from a family of entrepreneurs, making him quite familiar with how to run a business. 

However, he also acknowledged that building Taigersprung was not always smooth. In fact, he had to face challenges in the early stages of its establishment. The early days of Taigersprung’s business coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Founded in April 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our sales faced challenges due to activity restrictions and public concerns about purchasing food from outside,” Buyung shared.

He devised a strategy to maintain the business’s sustainability in an emergency situation. As the CEO of Taigersprung, he and Ian decided to cut operational costs. 

Another decision was not to reduce employee salaries; instead, they chose not to take their own salaries for the first four months. 

In addition, they shared many tasks. Some of the tasks, such as purchasing raw materials at the market and acting as the cashier, they did themselves. 

“The lowest point was during COVID because many people were reluctant to eat out or order food through delivery services. At that time, we knew sales wouldn’t go up, so we eventually decided to cut operational costs,” Buyung recalled.

Managing both studies and business simultaneously was certainly not easy. However, Buyung was grateful he did not struggle to balance his time between studying and running the business. 

He was also thankful that learning was conducted online during the pandemic. This allowed him the flexibility to attend online classes while managing the restaurant. 

“The challenge of balancing academic activities and running the restaurant lasted 2-3 months during the initial stages. The toughest challenge was when we had to cut operational costs,” Buyung explained.

The CEO repeatedly expressed gratitude for the opportunity to study at FEB UGM. He mentioned that he was able to apply the knowledge he gained in college to support his business journey. 

Many courses were highly relevant to developing his business, including consumer behavior. 

The knowledge from this course greatly helped him create an Ideal Customer Avatar (ICA), a profile detailing the ideal characteristics of a business’s consumer, such as demographics, psychographics, behavior, needs, and challenges.

By understanding the Ideal Customer Avatar (ICA), Buyung was able to develop the menu and business strategy for Taigersprung more efficiently without needing to conduct time-intensive and cost-intensive research. 

For this reason, he also advised those wanting to start a business to be brave enough to take the first step.

According to Buyung, it is crucial to cultivate optimism when starting a business—optimism that is not overly excessive. 

“In the future, I hope this business will have a broader positive impact on society, especially the customers and employees. I want to give back to society and create job opportunities. Currently, there are 75 employees at Taigersprung, and they motivate us to grow even bigger,” he concluded.

Repoters: FEB UGM/Najwah Ariella Puteri & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel Buyung Samudra’s Success Story: Balancing College and Business to Build Dim Sum Restaurant Taigersprung pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

He smiled as he stepped up to receive his diploma at the 2024/2025 academic year graduation ceremony, held on Thursday (Jan. 23) at Grha Sabha Pramana. 

Kurniawan completed his program at FEB UGM in 1 year and 4 months, whereas the average duration of study for the program is 2 years and 2 months.

With a professional background in the Human Resources Bureau of the Ministry of Finance, Kurniawan pursued further education to address the gaps in his competencies. 

After completing an associate degree in Accounting at the State College of Accountancy (STAN) and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting at Hasanuddin University, he worked for over a decade focusing on human resource management. 

He eventually enrolled in the MBA FEB UGM program, concentrating on Human Resources and Organization. 

“I hope this aligns with my future goal of becoming a human resource analyst for the Ministry of Finance,” he explained.

Kurniawan admitted that his previous educational background was quite different from his work tasks. Therefore, he applied a learning-by-doing approach while working. 

Studying at FEB UGM, he found it helpful to review whether his work practices aligned with the theories he learned in class.

Reflecting on his experience at MBA FEB UGM, Kurniawan emphasized that the curriculum is highly relevant to the professional world. 

The curriculum focuses on theory and requires students to engage in practical experiences, such as immersion programs and social projects. 

“At the time, I worked with a small business in Gunungkidul and participated in a social project at an elementary school in Bantul. So, my studies weren’t just about learning theory; I also gained many experiences and soft skills, especially in entrepreneurship and human resource management,” he shared.

When Kurniawan began his studies at UGM, he initially lacked confidence. He admitted he wasn’t used to giving presentations or expressing his ideas. 

“Having to present almost every day while studying at MBA FEB UGM boosted my confidence. My communication and negotiation skills improved because I got used to practicing them,” he said.

The final project was particularly challenging for him. He felt that there were many subjects he hadn’t mastered, and one of the biggest obstacles was mastering the statistics course.

Additionally, he had to learn quantitative research methods from scratch. This was vastly different from his experience during his associate and bachelor’s programs, where he primarily used qualitative analysis.

“Of course, I needed other people to share knowledge with, so I utilized the discussion rooms to share and learn from my classmates. Fortunately, the lecturers were very supportive; they were always open to answering questions whenever we had questions,” Kurniawan explained.

Although his study routine of reading books and journals and giving presentations was exhausting, Kurniawan remained motivated. He sought a support system to help him maintain his enthusiasm. 

“Humans are social beings who cannot live alone. In my opinion, having a support system is essential, whether it’s parents, friends, or the surrounding environment, both in college and at work,” he added.

Kurniawan also credited the culture of Yogyakarta and UGM with making him enjoy his time studying there. The fellowship among students was a new experience for him. 

“My classmates were generous with their knowledge. They were very open to sharing, and there was no individualism. This was a memorable experience for me—supporting one another and competing healthily through our achievements,” he said.

Reflecting on his success, Kurniawan offered some tips for academic achievement. He emphasized the importance of building good relationships with everyone, including senior and junior lecturers and classmates. 

“There is a wide range of expertise at MBA FEB UGM, so some students excel in certain fields while others may not. From here, I had many discussions and knowledge exchanges with them,” he explained.

Kurniawan always tried to maintain a positive mindset to help him think mindfully. He learned not to push himself too hard by focusing on what he could control and not forcing himself into situations beyond his control.

“In life, I’ve learned that there are things within my control and things beyond my control. I try to maximize what I can control and ignore what I can’t. If I focus too much on things beyond my control, I get burned out and lose focus on studying,” he elaborated.

He still remembers taking the Strategic Management course at the start of his studies. Dr. Rangga Almahendra, the lecturer, gave him valuable insight. 

“Life is not just about chasing dreams but also about leaving a legacy and being beneficial to others,” he recalled.

Reporter: FEB UGM/Shofi Hawa Anjani & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel Ministry of Finance HR Professional Ilham Budi Kurniawan Excels as UGM’s Top MBA Graduate pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The team consists of five undergraduate Management students from the class of 2022: Audrey Valensya Nabilla, Ayu Rahmi Widianarsi, Annisa Mayza Jasmine, Alifa Talitha Tsaqif Ramadhani, and Metta Varent.

They competed against 113 teams from universities across Indonesia during the competition, which was held on Dec. 16, 2024, in Jakarta.  

Alifa Talitha Tsaqif Ramadhani explained that all competing teams were required to submit case study solutions as proposals. The organizers then selected the top 10 teams to present their proposals in the semi-finals, which were conducted online. 

Following this selection process, the top three teams were chosen to compete in the finals held in person. 

“We are incredibly grateful and happy to have reached this point,” Ramadhani shared on Thursday (Jan. 16).  

Reflecting on their achievement, Ramadhani emphasized the extensive brainstorming and hard work required to reach this milestone. 

She expressed gratitude for the accomplishment, particularly because the competition is a prestigious national-level business case challenge featuring 114 exceptional teams with outstanding ideas.  

In the competition, Ramadhani explained that the teams were tasked with designing strategies to strengthen Jiniso’s position as Indonesia’s leading unisex jeans brand. 

The primary focus was on creating an integrated customer experience across various sales channels, both online and offline, while enhancing brand awareness of Jiniso’s transformation into a unisex brand. 

Additionally, teams were required to propose creative branding campaigns that addressed consumer needs and improved Jiniso’s competitiveness in the local fashion market. 

“The proposed omnichannel approach needed to address consumer demands by providing easy access to products, information, and services anytime and anywhere,” she elaborated.  

Rokhima Rostiani, the team’s faculty advisor, highlighted the challenges the team faced on their journey to the finals. Beyond delivering innovative and relevant solutions, the team also had to manage overlapping schedules with final exams. 

“Thankfully, the team overcame these obstacles and achieved this remarkable result. This achievement was also made possible by the faculty’s support, including providing facilities for the in-person final presentation and mentoring from faculty members,” she said.  

Rostiani expressed hope that the Kaphibara team from FEB UGM would continue contributing and creating innovative solutions for Indonesian industries within and beyond the competition. She also viewed this success as a gateway to new opportunities and future achievements.  

Reporters: FEB UGM/Orie Priscylla Mapeda Lumalan & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Author: Agung Nugroho

Artikel FEB UGM Team Wins 3rd Place at Marketeers Innovation Challenge pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

A student participating in this program can pursue both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees simultaneously in just five years of study. 

However, they are also faced with an intensive academic schedule. Anawinta Choirunnisa, an undergraduate Accounting student from the 2020 cohort, enrolled in the fast-track program in 2023. 

Entering her final year of undergraduate studies in the Department of Accounting at FEB UGM, she learned about the fast-track program, which was a breath of fresh air for her ambitions. 

“At first, I didn’t have high hopes because the registration period was tight and sudden, but opportunities like this might not come twice. Besides, why not give it a try? Nothing to lose, as long as I make the effort, I won’t regret it,” she shared.

Choirunnisa’s decision to join the fast-track program was not without reason. She expressed her desire to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree faster than through the regular program. 

“Another reason, of course, is the scholarship offered in the fast-track program,” she said with a smile.

For Choirunnisa, managing challenges and time management strategies are key to succeeding in the fast-track program. She admitted that her biggest challenge in the program was time management. 

“The biggest challenge in this program is definitely managing time. It feels like 24 hours a day isn’t enough to do everything. In the end, I decided that as long as there’s something I can work on, I should never stop trying,” she explained.

Finding the right rhythm to manage her studies in the fast-track program was also essential. Although she faced difficulties initially, Choirunnisa eventually adapted and organized her time well by planning her studies with various priorities. 

According to her, the first step that can be taken is to gather registration information and prepare documents as early as possible. 

“Do your best at each stage of the selection process. First and foremost, strengthen your resolve, prepare your determination and commitment, and prepare everything well. Maximize your efforts at every stage of selection,” Choirunnisa advised.

Reporters: FEB UGM/Shofi Hawa Anjani & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel Anawinta Choirunnisa Reflects on Her Journey in FEB UGM’s Fast Track Program pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This program is designed to accelerate the completion of both undergraduate (S1) and graduate (S2) degrees within five years. 

Besides shortening the study duration for both degrees, the Fast-Track Master of Science in Accounting program also offers scholarships, reducing tuition fees by up to 50 percent. 

Scholarship recipients are required to serve as teaching assistants during their studies.

Dr. Fu’ad Rakhman, the Head of the Master of Science in Accounting program, explained that the undergraduate program generally takes four years, and the master’s program lasts between two to three years. 

The fast-track program allows students to complete both degrees simultaneously in a shorter period. 

He noted that this program was first offered in the even semester of the 2023/2024 academic year, specifically in February 2024. 

“The fast-track program aims to facilitate undergraduate students who possess strong academic abilities, motivation to continue their studies, a high commitment to timely completion, and involvement in research and publications,” Dr. Rakhman explained at FEB UGM on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.

Dr. Rakhman elaborated that the fast-track program is designed to equip students with strong writing skills through courses such as Scientific Writing and Publication Workshops. 

The curriculum is structured to help students graduate successfully and produce writing, whether simple or scientific.

Graduates of this program have career opportunities in the industry and government sectors, in addition to becoming academics and researchers. 

Survey results show that about one-third of graduates pursue careers as academics, while the majority enter non-academic fields. 

“The skills taught are proven to be relevant and applicable to various sectors, allowing graduates to contribute broadly,” he said.

For scholarship recipients, Dr. Rakhman mentioned that the scholarships not only ease financial burdens but also provide valuable experience supporting faculty academic activities. 

The fast-track program also offers a streamlined process for developing an undergraduate thesis based on a literature review, which is then expanded into a master’s thesis. 

“The linearity between the thesis and master’s thesis topics, supported by the assignment of the same supervising professor, ensures that students receive consistent guidance throughout their studies. We maintain quality from the input stage and align students with supervisors and thesis topics within the same area. The goal is for them to complete both programs successfully and on time,” Dr. Rakhman added.

Furthermore, Dr. Rakhman explained that the fast-track program is available to undergraduate accounting students in their sixth or seventh semester. 

These students are expected to have completed all courses except the thesis and have a GPA of at least 3.50 at the time of application.

Other requirements include a minimum score of 550 on the Academic Potential Test (TPA) and an English proficiency test score of at least 500, both valid for up to two years. 

Prospective fast-track students must also submit additional documents, such as recommendation letters from two professors who have taught them in the courses they’ve passed.

Other administrative documents include a letter of approval from the student’s parents. 

Interested applicants are expected to go through several stages before being accepted into the Fast-Track Master of Science in Accounting program. 

“The application process begins with filling out a form and submitting documents to the admissions office. The study program will then review the files, and applicants will undergo an interview stage to ensure alignment between the topics of their undergraduate thesis and master’s thesis,” he explained.

Dr. Rakhman added that registration for this program is open in four rounds each academic year. 

FEB UGM’s Master of Science and Doctoral (MD) programs also invite outstanding students to join through this fast-track program.

Reporters: FEB UGM/Shofi Hawa Anjani & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna Nurseisa Azrien

Artikel FEB UGM Offers Fast Track Program for Master of Science in Accounting pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

To date, he has achieved 41 victories in various national and international competitions throughout his studies at UGM.

Known as a student with strong principles, Alexander was tenacious and persistent in his learning journey. His success in numerous competitions was not easy; it was not a case of winning at the first attempt. 

He had to face multiple failures along the way. For him, failure and challenges are opportunities to grow, learn, and evolve further. With high resilience, Alexander has won 41 competitions during his studies, including 32 equity research competitions, 4 business plan competitions, and 5 business case competitions. 

“I failed seven times, but I kept learning from those failures, and eventually, I managed to win many times,” he said on Monday (Jan. 6).

Alexander is committed to living life without regrets. Hence, he constantly strives to engage in productive activities during his studies, one of which is participating in various competitions. By participating in competitions, he gains numerous learning opportunities.

Although he has participated in many competitions, Alexander admits that most are finance-related. He is highly interested in investment and finance, and this passion drives him to conduct many evaluations and stock research. 

“It all started in 2020 when I read and heard about the success story of Andika Sutoro Putra, a young billionaire and founder of FOLK Group. That’s what strongly fueled my interest in the world of investment,” he explained.

Andika Sutoro Putra’s success in achieving financial freedom at a young age inspired Alexander to delve deeper into the world of investment. He began learning about financial investments through various books, seminars, and YouTube videos. 

From these sources, he gained an understanding of company fundamentals, how to read financial statements, valuation, and company prospects and risks.

Alexander’s interest in finance and investment grew even more when he began his studies at FEB UGM in 2021. Since becoming a student, he has actively participated in various finance competitions. Although his early attempts were not smooth, and he faced some failures, he persevered. 

“Keep trying, never give up, and keep learning. That’s the key to staying motivated,” the student admitted.

Alexander considers himself fortunate to have met Dr. Eddy Junarsin, a lecturer from the Department of Management at FEB UGM, in his third semester. That meeting, according to Alexander, broadened his understanding of finance significantly. 

“I learned even more about valuation, which became the key to winning in equity research competitions,” he revealed.

Balancing lectures, internships, and actively participating in various competitions is certainly not easy for students. The same applies to Alexander, who manages his time well and sets clear priorities. 

“Because this is my hobby, I voluntarily conduct stock analysis and participate in competitions during my free time. I am grateful that the asset allocation material I received during my lectures has further strengthened my understanding of the investment world,” he said.

Alexander is also happy to share some tips for students who wish to start participating in competitions. 

According to him, the most important thing is not to be afraid to try and to understand that failure is part of the learning process. Finding a mentor relevant to the competition field you want to pursue is also crucial. 

“It’s important for us to get the right guidance. Don’t hesitate to make the most of the facilities available on campus,” Alexander advised.

Reporters: FEB UGM/Najwah Ariella Puteri & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM Student Ali Alexander Wins 41 Finance & Business Competitions Despite Early Failures pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.