Riky and His Dream of Becoming a Scholar

Maybe he never imagined that he would journey to Borneo Island, leaving behind his family and parents right after completing vocational school (SMK). Traveling great distances, breaking into a sweat every day, all in pursuit of gaining experience as a mechanic at Adaro Service.

Meet Riky Prasetyo, an Industrial Engineering alumnus. The previous story marks the inaugural chapter of Riky's career before advancing his education at the university.

Not yet 18 years old at the time, but he was undaunted by the prospect leaving his home. Circumstances compelled him to "grow up," and for three years, he had the hardship of living in a foreign land, accumulating experiences that would significantly shape his life.

“Well, if I recall it, the benefits are tremendous. Before entering the field, we underwent a three-month Basic Mechanical Course (BMC) training to solidify our engineering knowledge,” explained the Surakarta native.

In addition, Riky also provided us with an overview of how he and his comrades-in-arms received direct training from the local TNI Kodim regarding Bintalsik (mental and physical development) material. He admitted that this stage truly tested his resilience in the field. These two processes made Riky and the other 40 selected participants experience a sense of struggle and close kinship.

“No crying, no sulking, everything must be done with total determination. We must be strong and full of enthusiasm even though we are tested in the heat of Kalimantan,” he added.

He took us back in time to when young Riky was in the second grade of elementary school. “Rik, wong tuwa ora isa ninggali bandha, isa ne mung ninggali kepinteran” (Rik, your parents can't leave you any riches or wealth, we can only leave you knowledge.) – that's how his mother used to advise. Growing up in a family without much educational background, Riky knew he had a tough road ahead. He was discouraged, but the bespectacled man believes that knowledge can change a person's life.

Having experienced the independence of earning a living, Riky's passion for obtaining a bachelor's degree remains unwavering. His determination is deeply rooted, akin to a sentiment he associates with a particular verse. “Once you make a decision, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who trust in Him.”  (QS. Ali Imran: 159)

“I was determined to resign, I exchanged my three years in Kalimantan to continue my studies. In early 2014, I took leave and enrolled in UMS One Day Service (ODS). Alhamdulillah, the son of a traveling green grocer, was able to earn bachelor's degree,” he said during our interview via WhatsApp.

Shortly after obtaining his Bachelor of Engineering (S.T.) degree, Riky secured his first job. Graduating with cum laude, he embarked on his career as a purchasing staff at a CV in Kartasura. However, his tenure at the CV was relatively brief.

“Even though my stint lasted only six months, I learned a great deal and gained invaluable experience,” reminisced Riky during our conversation.

Following his stint in the private sector, Riky embarked on the second chapter of his career in the capital city. In 2020, he took the oath as a civil servant (ASN) to serve as a First Expert Planner at the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT). This institution has since merged with four other research institutions to form the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). It's here that Riky revisits the knowledge from one of his past courses, namely Quality Control. 

“One of the key responsibilities is to oversee the monitoring and evaluation processes of various activities, particularly technology assessment and application. This involves assessing the output of institutional performance. Ensuring that activities meet predefined plans through careful measurement and monitoring is essential,” Riky elaborated.

Riky's expertise in executing his tasks was cultivated through his diligent study habits during college. He is well aware that his daily tasks align with the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Action) concept he learned at UMS.

Four years of studying at UMS was not a short time. During that time, Riky experienced numerous highs and lows with his friends. He remains grateful because at UMS, he found a supportive community and a place to maximize each other's potential.

“Alhamdulillah, I had the opportunity to meet friends who provided beneficial advice, contributing to personal growth. We often engaged in discussions, covering lecture materials and exchanging information on various topics. Even now, our friendship persists despite the physical distance,” he shared.

As the interview session drew to a close, we inquired about his favorite lecturer. He fondly recalled Dr. Etika Muslimah, S.T., M.M., M.T.

“I am impressed by her communication style and how she presents lectures in a way that is easily understood by students. She is also patient when dealing with students who struggle to understand the material, making the effort to explain it thoroughly,” he explained.

After all he has experienced, Riky has no intention of stopping dreaming. “I still want to learn more, look for scholarships and then pursue my master's studies,” he concluded.

Writer: Al Habiib Josy Asheva

Editor: Gede Arga

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid