UNAIR NEWS – A new accomplishment has been added to the growing list of achievements by alumni of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR). Robbyan Abel Ramdhon, a 2019 graduate, has been named one of the top ten writers selected for the Emerging Writers Program at the 2025 Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF). Ramdhon currently works as a full-time writer and remains deeply engaged in literary circles.
The alumnus of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) said his interest in joining UWRF stemmed from his long-standing involvement with various literary communities. “Within literary circles, UWRF is far from unfamiliar. It’s one of the major international festivals that serves as a platform for prominent writers from Indonesia and abroad,” he said.
The festival also encouraged him to submit his work as a way to introduce his latest publication, a short story collection titled Tuhan Bersembunyi Seperti Kancing Cadangan (Intensif Book, 2025).
Behind short story
For this year’s selection, Ramdhon submitted a story titled “Di Sebuah Kota,” which follows two siblings in a family struggling against financial hardship. One of the central issues the piece explores is the growing trend of online gambling as a perceived quick fix for income. He noted that the inspiration for the story came from a conversation with a ride-hailing driver who shared how many colleagues had become ensnared in online gambling.
Although the story tackles heavy social themes, Ramdhon described the writing process as smooth. Writing, he said, has long been a daily discipline. “The manuscript was finished in just half a day, editing included. I submitted it only two hours before the deadline,” he added.
According to the curators, Ramdhon’s work stood out for its strong portrayal of economic pressures through a lens that feels timely and relatable. The story was praised for its sharp social critique while maintaining a grounded, natural tone.
Boost for his career
Being selected as one of the Emerging Writers for 2025 has been a meaningful milestone for Ramdhon. He said he felt both thrilled and honored by the recognition. The acknowledgment has also contributed significantly to his professional development as an author. “I’ve received many invitations to speak at various forums. A number of publishers have also approached me about new book projects,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Ramdhon has several major projects in progress. In the near future, he plans to release a new short story collection and a new novel, while also pursuing opportunities to join additional festivals and literary collaborations.
Author: Adinda Octavia Setiowati
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
