Yogyakarta — Graduating in 3.5 years with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.95, Rahma Nur Annisa was named the best graduate of the Statistics Study Program, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). This achievement was supported by her consistent academic performance as well as numerous accomplishments in national and ASEAN regional competitions.
Throughout her studies, Rahma actively undertook various academic and non-academic roles. She served as a teaching assistant and grader and contributed to student organizations. In the Statistics Student Association (Himasta), Rahma was appointed as Coordinator of the Exotic Bureau, where she initiated programs introducing and applying statistical knowledge to the community. This experience provided her with the opportunity to understand the practical implementation of statistics beyond the classroom.
Her academic competence was further demonstrated through participation in various competitions. She won 1st Place and was awarded Best Speaker at the Airlangga Statistics Essay Competition, secured 1st Place in the ANAVA National Statistics Olympiad, and achieved 3rd Place in the SATRIA DATA Statistics Essay Competition organized by the National Achievement Center (Pusat Prestasi Nasional). These experiences strengthened her analytical skills, scientific communication abilities, and data-driven problem-solving competence.
In addition to competing, Rahma contributed to research activities as a research assistant and completed her undergraduate thesis using statistical and machine learning approaches. To enhance her technical expertise, she participated in the Coding Camp Machine Learning Engineer program, which focused on end-to-end data project development. During her undergraduate years, she also gained professional experience as a tutor, data analyst, and data scientist intern.
Rahma stated that earning the title of best graduate was not her primary goal at the beginning of her studies. Instead, she chose to focus on completing each responsibility optimally and consistently.
“I have always believed that once I choose to pursue something, I must commit to it seriously and give my best effort,” she said.
According to Rahma, university life is not only a space for academic learning but also an opportunity to explore diverse experiences. She considers competitions, organizational involvement, and professional experiences as essential complements to theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom, while also fostering time management skills and resilience. The support of her family, lecturers, and peers also played a significant role in her academic journey.
As the best graduate, Rahma views her achievement as the result of a continuous learning process. She encourages students not to focus solely on final outcomes but to appreciate every step of the journey.
“Focus on the process and carry out every responsibility to the best of your ability. Not everyone has the same path, so there is no need to compare yourself excessively with others. Build a strong foundation, maintain integrity, and use your time in university to explore various opportunities that help you grow,” she emphasized.
Rahma’s achievement is expected to inspire students to continuously develop their academic and professional competencies. This success also reaffirms the commitment of the Department of Mathematics, FMIPA UGM, to realizing its role as a national leader and international expert in the fields of mathematics, statistics, and actuarial science.
Keywords: Best Graduate, Outstanding Student
Author: Iin Nauli Rahmawati
Photo: Rahma Nur Annisa