BANTUL, DIY — In 2021, Dompet Dhuafa, through its organ that focuses on education, namely the Human Development Institute (LPI), initiated the YES (Youth Ekselensia Scholarship) Program. This integrated educational scholarship program aims to produce intellectual, noble, and leader-spirited students. The program, officially released on August 14, 2022, targets high school students just starting class XII.
So, what kind of scholarships are given by LPI Dompet Dhuafa to students through this YES Program? Please note that this program applies an intensive mentoring curriculum and provides tuition assistance to completion. Later, the selected students will get learning facilities with qualified mentors who can guide them from the beginning of class XII to get a seat to study at their dream campus. In addition, tuition fees will also be given for 12 full months to selected students until they qualify to become students at their dream campus.
In 2023, the YES Program released around 50 first-batch YES Program Beneficiaries who have succeeded in achieving their dreams of studying at State Universities (PTN). One of them is Aira Vischida Ramadhani, a student of SMAN 2 Bantul who managed to achieve her dream major, namely the Department of Agricultural Industrial Technology at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Yogyakarta. Aira also shared the story of her journey with the YES Program to Dompet Dhuafa to become a student at her dream campus.
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Aira is the youngest of four children. Now, Aira only lives with one parent, her mother, who works self-employed. Aira has lived in this condition since her father passed away at the very young age of Aira, which is seven years old. When she started in grade XII of high school, Aira felt she needed to get guidance to qualify as a student at her dream campus because she needed clarification about determining what major to choose.
“I am still confused about the college major that suits my interests and talents. Ultimately, I found the YES Dompet Dhuafa Program from the teacher and signed up eagerly. Alhamdulillah, I became one of the students selected to be the beneficiaries of the YES Program,” Aira admitted to Dompet Dhuafa.
During the YES Program, Aira admitted that she helped develop her academic, spiritual, and religious abilities and confidence to become a leader.
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“In the field of learning, I feel helped a lot by the YES Program, guided in learning, explained material that I don’t understand, and provided facilities to support my enthusiasm for learning. In the field of memorising the Quran (tahfidz) and accuracy in reciting the Quran (tahsin), I became eager to repeat the memorisation that I had already had and improve the reading of the Qur’an. I began to diligently memorise the hadith according to the target given by Mbak Ica as my mentor.”
“In the field of leadership, I feel self-development. Starting from being appointed to lead an event, making various events whose purpose is to train the spirit of the organisation, and being trained to be responsible in all matters, “said Aira.
Aira’s journey to achieve her dream campus could have been smoother. He faced various obstacles to rejection in various PTN entry routes. But his determination to study did not fade in the slightest. Thanks to assistance from the YES Program mentor, Aira admitted that she overcame these obstacles and remained persistent to enter her dream State University (PTN).
“When I was declared to be one of the eligible students at school, I was thrilled and got a mentor to consult, Mbak Ica. Since then, I have steadily chosen the Department of Agricultural Industrial Technology UGM, and it was an option in the SNBP (National Selection Based on Academic Achievement) track. By Allah Almighty’s decision (Qadarullah), I still need to pass the SNBP route. However, because of my strong determination to enter UGM, I tried to find various entry routes at UGM. I also asked Mbak Ica until I finally found a path that matched my background, namely the PBU (Superior Seed Search) path.”
“In the PBU track, I still chose the Agricultural Industry Technology major because of my great interest. But with Allah Almighty’s decision (qadarullah), I have not yet qualified to become a UGM student. I almost gave up then because I was not 100% ready to take the UTBK Test. There, I was always assisted by Mbak Ica by giving surprises in the form of daily UTBK practice questions. Finally, I am confident to choose the Department of Agricultural Industrial Technology UGM in the SNBT/UTBK track,” said Aira.
Aira’s struggle with the YES Program did not end in vain. Finally, Aira passed into her dream department and PTN through the SNBT route. He admitted that he was lucky to meet the YES LPI Dompet Dhuafa Program on his way to achieving hope of becoming a UGM student.
“On June 20, 2023, I opened SNBT’s announcement web page and thank God I got the words ‘Congratulations! You are declared to have passed the SNBT SNPMB 2023 selection’. Thank you, YES Program and Mbak Ica, for accompanying me as a mentor, confidant, playmate, and friend who accompanied my struggle for one year,” he said.
“The YES program has had a positive impact on me. I feel fortunate to meet the YES Program. Because this program strives to provide the best way for all its beneficiaries,” concluded Aira, closing her story. (Dompet Dhuafa/LPI/Ronna)