Yogyakarta, April 23rd 2025 – Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has once again confirmed its best graduates in the graduation ceremony of the Postgraduate Program Period III of the 2024/2025 Academic Year. One of the inspiring figures is Dr. Ir. Lasarus Bambang Sulistyowarno, ST., MM., IPU., CRGP., who successfully won the title of Best Graduate from the Doctoral Study Program in Leadership and Policy Innovation (DKIK).
The beginning of his journey to continue his studies in the DKIK Study Program when he was inaugurated as an engineer at the UGM Faculty of Engineering on January 22nd 2022, which was held at Grha Sabha Pramana. His background in Civil Engineering from Sebelas Maret University Surakarta and a Masters in Finance from Bhayangkara University Jakarta as well as his expertise in the fields of practitioners and industry, Lasarus had to be familiar with multidisciplinary sciences.
One of the things that motivated Lasarus to continue his studies at UGM was when his daughter was accepted at the UGM Faculty of Medicine through the Achievement-Based National Selection (SNBP) from SMA Negeri 8 Jakarta had made him more directed to UGM for his doctoral study in the Doctoral Program in Leadership and Policy Innovation (DKIK). The registration requirements to enter UGM are a challenge for Lasarus as a practitioner to meet the qualifications. In early July 2022, he was accepted for his doctoral study in the DKIK UGM Yogyakarta Study Program.
His doubts and hesitation in continuing his doctoral studies were still in his mind when the lectures had started. But that did not dampen his spirit.
“After entering the lecture period, I still had doubts, but I returned to my motivation to want to have a legacy in my extended family, especially to be an example for my two children. As a practitioner, I also see that there is still a fairly large capacity gap between academics and practitioners, so it is necessary to explore both,” said Lasarus.
This is not easy and full of challenges to complete his studies full of waves that must be faced. Dividing space and time is one of the main challenges faced, because Lasarus also carries the mandate as General Manager in a BUMN company. This made him should be able to divide his focus to be able to carry out his responsibilities as a practitioner and as a student. The key is to position yourself well as a student and do all the tasks including making papers and journals and dissertations until finished.
“Keep learning, keep gaining knowledge, keep working, and keep competing. No ideal is impossible, as long as we are focused and enthusiastic to face it accompanied by prayer and effort, God willing, everything will be finished and beautiful in time. Keep maintaining the network between alumni and students and industry for going concern so that UGM academic activities can continue,” he concluded.
Author : Siti Muyasaroh