Betran Yunior, S.I.Kom — from selling iced tea with his parents by the side of a school to walking across the graduation stage at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) — his life journey is a story about dreams nurtured through hard work and perseverance. At the UNY December 2025 graduation ceremony held at the UNY Sports Hall (GOR) on Tuesday (23/12/2025), Betran was crowned the undergraduate graduate with the highest cumulative GPA (3.98) at UNY.

Betran’s outstanding achievement did not come from a privileged background. He grew up in a simple family in Palembang, with both his parents, Zulkarnain and Wanida, never having attended college. To make a living, his parents once sold iced tea by the side of a school. Despite these limitations, his parents instilled in him a core value that would later become the foundation of his life: education is the path to change. “Your job is to study, to be smart — don’t think about anything else,” his father told him — a message Betran still remembers.

When he entered the Communication Studies program in the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at UNY, Betran realized that seriousness and dedication were his only real assets. Although he didn’t have many facilities, he committed fully to every part of the learning process. He worked diligently on assignments, listened carefully to his lecturers, and made the most of every discussion opportunity. He said being active in class helped him understand material better, making outside study more efficient.

That strategy helped him maintain excellence academically while also staying active in non-academic activities. Still, it wasn’t always easy — the Research Methodology course was one of his biggest challenges. Instead of giving up, Betran asked more questions and engaged in discussions, believing that lecturers play an important role in helping students untangle complex material before deepening understanding independently through books, peer discussion, and digital resources.

His academic journey was also supported by scholarships. Since high school, he benefited from affirmative education through a full scholarship at one of the top boarding high schools in South Sumatra. During his studies at UNY, he received the KIP-Kuliah Scholarship, which not only eased financial burdens but also became a source of pride because he could pursue education without adding financial pressure on his parents.

The toughest moment was early in his college life. Arriving in Yogyakarta alone, without family or acquaintances, made him feel alien and lonely at first. Gradually, the support of friends in his circle strengthened him and saw him through to the end of his study.

For this alumnus of a high school in South Sumatra, graduation was not just a ceremony — it was a symbol of proof of what dedication could achieve. Betran became the first graduate in his family, a milestone full of emotional meaning. “This graduation is very valuable to me and my family. It proves that with strong intention and determination, higher education is not impossible,” he said with shining eyes.

Looking ahead, the resident of Duku Village, Ilir Timur Tiga District, Palembang City hopes to build a career in the creative industry. During his college years, he prepared for the professional world through internships and volunteer programs to experience real professional environments. He hopes that the knowledge he has gained will not only change his life but also be shared and benefit others.

Closing his story, Betran shared a simple yet meaningful message for fellow UNY students: “Sitting in the lecture hall is a privilege. Enjoy the process, make many friends, and explore as many experiences as you can.”

Betran Yunior’s story is a real portrait showing that great achievements can come from limitations, reinforcing UNY’s role in producing graduates who are excellent, accomplished, and have character — making education a meaningful path to life transformation.