Elia Laila Rizqiyah, a postgraduate from the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), achieved the distinction of being the youngest postgraduate graduate across UGM during the Postgraduate Graduation Ceremony for Period I of the 2024/2025 academic year, held on Thursday, 24 October 2024. Elia, who pursued the Fast Track program in the Soil Science for her Undergraduate and Master’s Programs, completed her Master’s degree at the remarkable age of 22 years and 6 months.
Elia, as she is often called, shared the benefits she gained from the Fast Track program, which is one of the flagship programs at the Faculty of Agriculture UGM.
“The Fast Track program offers numerous advantages. First, it only took five years to complete both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Second, I received many new opportunities, such as internships at the department and faculty level. Third, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities. I received scholarships for my third and fourth semesters,” explained Elia.
Throughout her studies, Elia was active in various projects, including fertilizer effectiveness tests, working as a soil surveyor, assisting in practical labs, serving as an agricultural extension worker, and even teaching at a tutoring center. She taught at Delta, a tutoring center in Yogyakarta, where she handled subjects such as natural science, mathematics, civics, and English for elementary and middle school students.
Despite her success, Elia admitted to facing challenges at the beginning of her master’s program. Balancing her studies with completing her undergraduate thesis and participating in numerous activities proved difficult at first. However, over time, she developed an effective method for managing her responsibilities by setting priorities.
“I always make a priority scale and set deadlines for myself to stay on track. I also make sure to have daily progress in each of my commitments,” Elia shared.
Elia emphasized the crucial role her thesis advisors played in her success, expressing gratitude to her mentors.
“I would like to extend my deepest thanks to my thesis and dissertation supervisors, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Nuryani Hidayah Utami, M.P., M.Sc., and Prof. Dr. Ir. Benito Heru Purwanto, M.P., M. Agr., because my achievements are also due to their guidance and the support of all the faculty in the Soil Science Department at UGM,” said Elia.
Elia’s inspiring story is a testament to the Faculty of Agriculture UGM’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Reporter: Karina Nisa Intan Kusuma and Hanita Athasari Zain
Author: Agrit Kirana Bunda
Documentation: Media Faperta