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The Figure Behind the New Degree

Day-to-day, Mrs. Ai is an educator. She is a chemistry teacher at SMAN 26 Bandung, where she has served since 2003. Residing in East Bandung, she will retire from her status as a Civil Servant (PNS) in April 2026.

For Mrs. Ai, ITB is not an unfamiliar place. She is an alumna of ITB's D3 Education Program (a government program) from the class of 1985. Although she had completed her S1 (Bachelor's) at the Open University (UT), her desire to return to study at her alma mater, ITB, never faded. "I was still curious," she said.

A Master's Dream Delayed for Decades

Mrs. Ai's journey to obtain her master's degree was full of challenges that tested her determination. This dream was an old one, delayed by various external factors.

She recounted several missed opportunities to continue her S2 studies. One was when she applied for the "Teaching Idol" program, which offered an S2 scholarship at ITB, but she had to let it go due to her child's critical illness. Another time, she was appointed Vice Principal of Curriculum at her school, a responsibility that consumed time and energy, forcing her intention to study to be postponed again.

The final challenge was the TOEFL test, a requirement for admission to ITB. She failed it multiple times. "In 2023, I tried again. It felt like this was the last chance. If I didn't pass this time, it probably wasn't meant to be," she recalled. However, fate decided otherwise; she finally passed the selection in 2023.

The Struggle Behind the Studies: The Accidents

Starting her studies at an age that was no longer young, Mrs. Ai showed extraordinary fighting spirit. One of her biggest challenges was the commute from East Bandung to the Ganesha campus. She consistently rode her motorcycle alone, despite her age.

An unforgettable incident became proof of her "unyielding" character. One morning, while rushing to a lecture, she had an accident. "I collided with a car. Suddenly, from the left, a motorcycle sped by. I was hit and fell," she recounted.

Her hand was in pain and couldn't be moved. Instead of returning home, which was closer at the time, she decided to continue to the campus to attend her classes. Upon arriving, she even called her regular masseur to meet her on campus to treat her hand before she continued with her afternoon practicum.

In class, she claimed to enjoy blending in with other students who were much younger. She positioned herself as a student, even to lecturers who were younger than her.

The Other Side of the Academic: Sewing and Retirement Plans

Outside of her busy life as a teacher and student, Mrs. Ai has had a hobby of sewing since childhood. For her, sewing is a "refreshment" that is also productive and generates income. She even designs and makes her own clothes.

Nearing retirement, she already has a myriad of plans. From opening a consultancy for chemistry teachers, starting a boutique according to her hobby, to becoming a content creator on Instagram or YouTube to educate Generation Z.

Message for the Younger Generation: Don't be a "Strawberry Generation"

After graduating, Mrs. Ai admitted she would miss the moments on campus, especially during practicums and the camaraderie with her classmates. She advised current students not to be a "strawberry generation" (a term for those easily discouraged) who complains easily. "Stay strong; remember the future is in the hands of the young generation," she advised.

To the general public, she gave an equally powerful message: "Never be ashamed to have a dream. And don't be ashamed to pursue that dream, whatever the obstacles, as long as it is on the right path," she concluded.

Reporter: Muhammad Hanif Darmawan (Mining Engineering, 2021)