The Inspiring Journey of Raden Ayesha Fadhilatunnisa Suriamihardja, Youngest ITB Graduate Earns Double Degree at 20
By Yohana Aprilianna - Mahasiswa Perencanaan Wilayah dan Kota, 2021
Editor Anggun Nindita
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – An undergraduate student from the Management Study Program, School of Business and Management (SBM) ITB, Raden Ayesha Fadhilatunnisa Suriamihardja, caught the public’s attention during the Second Graduation Ceremony of the 2024/2025 Academic Year held on Friday–Saturday (April 25–26, 2025) at the ITB Convention Hall, Sasana Budaya Ganesa (Sabuga). She became one of the youngest graduates at the undergraduate level at just 20 years and 3 months old.
Accelerated Academic Path from an Early Age
Ayesha's academic journey is unlike most other young people. She began her education ahead of her peers by enrolling in an acceleration program during elementary school. This early start allowed her to complete her undergraduate studies in a shorter time than most students her age.
“Graduating early gives me more time to explore where my passions truly lie. I don’t have to race against age expectations. After graduating, I can try out any internship opportunities,” she shared.
Despite being younger, Ayesha encountered no major difficulties in socializing on campus. She expressed gratitude for the continuous support from her family, lecturers, and fellow students.
Studying Abroad in the Netherlands
Ayesha’s greatest challenge came not from the academic environment, but from the physical distance. It happened when she joined the double degree program at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, for 1.5 years.
“It was tough being far from my parents for such a long time. But from that experience, I learned so many new things,” she recalled.
Her time abroad helped her grow not only academically but also personally. She learned how to live independently, adapt to new environments, and also broaden her global experience and insight.
Focusing on Gender Equality in Research
As a graduation requirement, Ayesha raised the issue of gender equality in her final research. She compared the policies across developing countries in the Asia region to gain a broader and more contextual perspective.
Academically, Ayesha successfully earned a double degree from both ITB and the University of Groningen. She aspires to pursue a Master’s degree in the future. However, she currently intends to focus on internship opportunities that she had to postpone due to the rigorous schedule of her double degree program.
“Just keep going. If you have the desire or motivation, you will get through it. When it gets hard, believe in yourself,” she concluded.
Graduating at a young age is not the final goal for Ayesha. Instead, it is the beginning of a long journey to discover her true self, build her dreams, and make a meaningful impact on those around her.
Reporter: Yohana Aprilianna (Urban and Regional Planning, 2021)
Translator: Yafi Amri (Meteorology, 2021)
