UNAIR NEWS – No students should drop out of college due to financial difficulties. This is a mission that Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has realized. It is evident as UNAIR graduated 160 scholarship recipients during its Graduation 242 Ceremony.
The scholarships include the Kartu Indonesia Pintar Kuliah (KIP K), the higher education affirmative scholarship (ADik), and the bidikmisi scholarship. The ceremony was held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Airlangga Convention Center (ACC), MERR-C Campus.
Scholarship recipient’s journey
At the event, Asrul Rochim, a KIP-K scholarship recipient, shared his inspiring story. Coming from a low-income family, with a father who was a roadside tire repairman and a housewife mother, Rochim faced significant challenges. Both of his parents have since passed away. “My father was a tire repairman on the side of the road. My mother was a housewife and was sick at that time. Both have passed away now,” he said.
Rochim was accepted into UNAIR through the Joint Selection for Entrance to Higher Education (SBMPTN) in 2020. “Since the beginning of the SBMPTN selection, I applied for the KIP-K scholarship to support my family financially,” he shared.
Despite his father’s meager income barely covering daily meals, Rochim’s determination to pursue higher education never wavered. “I am the first graduate in my family. I am very happy, even though my parents are no longer here. But I believe they would be proud,” he said.
The scholarship relieved Rochim of tuition fees and provided additional financial support for transportation, food, study equipment, and other necessities. “There are costs for transportation, food, equipment for studies, and other needs,” explained the graduate of the Faculty of Economics and Business.
Rochim expressed deep gratitude to his elder sibling for their support and hoped that all UNAIR graduates would contribute positively to society. “Thank you to my siblings who have faithfully accompanied me and supported me until graduation. Thank you, Mom and Dad, your child has become a graduate. Thank you, UNAIR, and may the knowledge we have be beneficial to society,” he said.
Advanced study scholarship
During the Graduation 242 Ceremony, UNAIR Rector Prof. Nasih announced that scholarship recipients could continue their studies at the master’s level at UNAIR. This opportunity is available to UNAIR graduates from underprivileged families who meet criteria such as being the first graduate in their family and having a satisfactory Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
“For UNAIR graduates from underprivileged families, indicated by having KIP Kuliah, if they are the first graduate in the family and have a satisfactory CGPA, we provide scholarships to continue studies at the master’s level,” explained Prof. Nasih.
With this initiative, Prof. Nasih hopes UNAIR can make a significant impact on society. “Thus, we hope to provide the greatest benefits to society,” he concluded.
Author: Icha Nur Imami Puspita
Editor: Feri Fenoria
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