Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business

It's never too late to make your dreams come true. At 34, Ilham Budi Kurniawan has just achieved his dream of studying at UGM. He achieved a perfect cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 4.00 with a study period of 1 year, 4 months, and 1 day to be declared the best graduate of the Master of Management Study Program at FEB UGM Yogyakarta Campus at the graduation ceremony on Wednesday, January 23, 2024.

A Delayed Dream

Ilham's desire to study at UGM is very strong. The youngest son of Sumidjo and Suwarni, he was accepted to the Faculty of Forestry at UGM in 2008. But fate was not on his side. By that time, his parents had retired, and it was with a heavy heart that he had to bury his dream of studying at UGM.

"Considering my family's financial situation, I decided to find another way by studying at STAN, which offers free tuition. So, studying at UGM is a delayed dream for me," he said when we met after graduation on Wednesday (1/23/2025).

However, Ilham's desire to continue his education at UGM never wavered. After 12 years of pursuing a career in the Ministry of Finance, he realized his dream of getting an education at his dream campus. Armed with 5 years of preparation, Ilham sought experience by actively organizing and improving his leadership skills. He also managed to continue his master's studies with an LPDP scholarship.

Strong Interest in HR and organization

With a work background in the Human Resources Bureau of the Ministry of Finance, Ilham wanted to continue his education to fill his skills gap. He previously studied for a Diploma of Accounting at the State Accounting College (STAN) and Bachelor of Accounting at Hasanuddin University.

"My work is more focused on human resource management, so I pursued a postgraduate program at MM UGM focusing on Human Resources and Organizations. This program aligns with my plan for the future, which is to become an HR analyst at the Ministry of Finance," Ilham explained.

Since his previous educational background is very different from his work, he is learning by doing on the job. Studying at MM UGM can help him check whether his practice at work matches the theory he learns in class.

The Learning Experience at MM UGM

Ilham revealed that MM FEB UGM has a good curriculum because it does not only focus on theory. The faculty also asks students to practice by directly going to the field, such as through immersion programs and social projects.

"During that time, I supported MSMEs in Gunung Kidul and participated in a social project at a primary school in Bantul," Ilham explained. "Through these experiences, I not only learned theoretical concepts but also developed valuable soft skills and hands-on experience, particularly in entrepreneurship and human resource management."

"At MM FEB UGM, I had to give presentations almost daily, which gradually boosted my confidence. Over time, my communication and negotiation skills improved significantly as I practiced and honed them regularly," he shared.

The same was true when Ilham went through the process of completing his final project. That moment became draining for Ilham. He realized there were many things he had not mastered. One of them was the lack of mastery of statistics. Ilham also had to learn quantitative research methods from scratch during his master's program because he had used qualitative methods in his Diploma and Bachelor programs.

"I rely on others to learn and exchange knowledge, so I often use the discussion room to collaborate with my friends. Thankfully, the lecturers are incredibly supportive. If you have a question, they’re always open and willing to help." Ilham said.

Going through lectures with the routine of reading books and journals and doing presentations is tiring and dampens his motivation. Ilham says the way to regain his enthusiasm is to find a support system.

"Humans are social creatures who cannot live alone. In my opinion, it is important to have a support system, whether it is parents, friends, or the environment in which you study or work," he explained.

Ilham also revealed that the culture in Yogyakarta, especially at UGM, made him feel at home. The togetherness among the students is something new to him during his master's program.

"My friends are incredibly generous with their knowledge. They openly share insights and are far from being individualistic. This has been an unforgettable experience for me. They support one another while fostering healthy competition through their achievements," said Ilham.

Tips for Study Success

To achieve good grades, Ilham revealed several things he has done. The most important thing is to have a good relationship with everyone, including lecturers, seniors, juniors, and friends.

"There are a lot of cross-disciplines at MM FEB UGM, so there are some students who master certain sciences and some who do not. From here, I discuss a lot and transfer knowledge with them," he explained.

Ilham also instilled a positive mindset to help him think mindfully. He learned not to force himself by focusing on things that can be controlled by not forcing himself into everything.

"In life, I have learned that there is a circle of control and a circle beyond my control. I try to maximize what I can control and ignore what I cannot control. If I think too much about the things I can't control, I burn out and don't focus on my studies," he explained.

While taking the Strategic Management course at the beginning of college, Ilham received a fascinating insight from the course's lecturer, Dr. Rangga Almahendra, S.T., M.M.: "Life is not only about chasing dreams but also about leaving a mark and how we can be useful to others."

"Experiencing a social project and immersion made me realize one of FEB's core values: social awareness. It deeply touched my heart and taught me that caring for others and helping each other is priceless." said Ilham

He said his classmates inspired him not to lose motivation easily. The faculty also inspired him from a scientific and humanistic side through their heartfelt and caring teaching, which made the students enjoy the learning process more. This experience moved him to implement social care in his future work.

In terms of long-term plans, Ilham wants to be a person who benefits society, the community, and the country. He realizes this by returning to the Ministry of Finance, implementing the knowledge he has gained, and providing effective policies.

"For my friends who have been given the opportunity to study at UGM, I hope they can make the most of it," he concluded.

Reportage: Shofi Hawa Anjani
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Sustainable Development Goals