Academic achievement is often seen as just a number. However, for Leni Firda Kurnia Sari, a graduate of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), that achievement tells a deeper story of loss, responsibility, and resilience in shaping her future.

During the lively graduation ceremony of UNY Period IV Phase 1 in 2026, Leni was announced as the undergraduate graduate with the highest GPA of 3.99. Behind this near-perfect number, however, lies a journey far from simple.

Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) has once again achieved a proud accomplishment through two of its students who successfully won third place in the 2026 Outstanding Student Selection (Pemilihan Mahasiswa Berprestasi / Pilmapres) for LLDIKTI Region V.

The two awardees are Nosi Anggana from the Music Education Study Program and Fitria Oktariani from the Applied Bachelor Program in Fashion Design. They received the awards on Wednesday (April 22, 2026).

Financial uncertainty once nearly forced Zahwa Putri Aulia, a 2024 English Education student at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), to postpone her dream of pursuing higher education. However, through determination and perseverance, she successfully secured the Bayan Peduli Scholarship, turning her worries into achievement.

Rosnia Rahman, a student of Guidance and Counseling at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), has successfully secured the prestigious LPDP scholarship after a long and challenging journey marked by perseverance, faith, and self-discipline.

Coming from Ambon, Rosnia’s motivation stemmed from her financial limitations in pursuing higher education. Instead of giving up, she chose to keep striving, holding firmly to the belief that “scholarships are not for the smartest, but for those who are willing to work hard.”

The journey toward higher education often requires determination and perseverance. This was proven by Rifdah Putri Naldi, a student from the Communication Science program at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), who successfully pursued her dream through the Kartu Indonesia Pintar (KIP) Kuliah scholarship.

The dream of pursuing higher education once seemed uncertain for Marsha due to her family’s financial limitations. However, her determination and the opportunity provided through the Kartu Indonesia Pintar (KIP) Kuliah scholarship enabled her to continue her studies at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta.

Wrapped in the proud blue alma mater jacket of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Karina Ade Rahmawati confidently walked into her classroom at the Faculty of Education. Her calm smile showed the joy of a student of the Educational Technology Study Program (Class of 2024), yet behind today’s certainty lay a journey that was not simple.

Karina was born in Kulon Progo Regency on March 23, 2005 and grew up in a humble environment that shaped her into a resilient and determined person. She believed that education was the best way to change her future.

Education in the Society 5.0 era demands that the world of education go beyond mere transfer of knowledge. This challenge was addressed by Roro Wilis, M.Pd., through her master’s thesis which examined the implementation of Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) in history learning at SMA Negeri 9 Yogyakarta. The study emphasized that history learning can be made more meaningful by connecting lesson material to the real life context of students.

Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) highlighted its commitment to inclusive education with the inspiring academic achievement of Liring Anindya Maharani, a deaf student from the Faculty of Sports Science and Health (FIKK).

Despite facing hearing limitations, Liring successfully completed her studies with a Cum Laude distinction and a GPA of 3.75. She enrolled in the Sports Science program in 2021 through an academic achievement admission track.

Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) proudly highlighted the academic and leadership achievements of Desi Safitri, who graduated as the top undergraduate student with a Cumulative GPA of 3.95 at the UNY February 2026 Graduation Ceremony held at GOR UNY on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Her accomplishment was not instantaneous but the result of a long journey shaped by academic dedication, organizational involvement, and educational service experience.