The journey taken by 150 students and teachers from SMA Negeri 3 Boyolali to the Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM) on Friday morning (11/05/2026) was far more than an ordinary school visit. Looking ahead from Boyolali toward the “Blue Campus,” the students carried great hopes — to see their future more closely and experience the atmosphere of higher education at UGM firsthand.
The 11th-grade students appeared enthusiastic as they observed academic buildings, laboratories, and educational facilities that they had previously only seen through social media and alumni stories.
A school representative delivering remarks on behalf of the principal described the visit as “the first step toward embracing the future.” He emphasized that the students’ arrival at UGM was not simply an educational tour, but an effort to shape life orientation and aspirations for the younger generation.
“Becoming a dentist is not merely about earning a degree, but about dedication and service. Hopefully, one day some of you will return to this campus not as visitors, but as students,” he said enthusiastically.
The visit became an important moment amid increasingly intense competition for admission to public universities. For many students from regional areas, campuses like UGM often feel distant — not only geographically, but also psychologically. Therefore, direct exposure like this is considered capable of breaking feelings of inferiority while opening new horizons.
During the presentation session, lecturer drg. Heriati Sitosari, MD.Sc., Ph.D., explained various study programs, university admission systems, campus facilities, and scholarship opportunities at UGM. With a communicative and approachable style, she sought to eliminate the perception that studying at a prestigious university is reserved only for certain groups.
“For those raising your hands because you want to enter UGM, I pray that you will be accepted,” she said, greeted with applause and laughter from the students.
She emphasized that UGM provides broad access for students from diverse economic backgrounds through scholarship schemes and tuition subsidies. According to her, many students actually possess strong academic abilities, but are often hindered by fears regarding educational costs.
In her presentation, she explained that UGM offers numerous educational assistance programs, ranging from the Indonesia Smart College Card (KIP Kuliah), scholarships for underdeveloped regions, support from state-owned enterprises, alumni foundations, and assistance from faculties and industry partners. Even students from middle-income families with excellent academic performance still have significant opportunities to receive financial aid.
This phenomenon reflects a changing paradigm in Indonesian higher education. Universities are no longer competing solely for academic reputation, but are also expected to provide more inclusive and equitable access to education.
The visit also demonstrated how universities are beginning to actively build communication with schools in regional areas. This strategy is not merely institutional promotion, but part of efforts to expand educational equality.
Before the students, drg. Sari explained that the university offers 293 study programs from undergraduate, postgraduate, to specialist levels, complete with supporting facilities such as an academic hospital, central library, student dormitories, healthcare services, sports facilities, and internal campus transportation like the “Tayo Gama” buses and campus bicycles.
For some students, explanations about dentistry became the most interesting part of the session. Questions emerged one after another, ranging from tuition fees, career prospects for FKG graduates, to opportunities for studying through international pathways or the International Undergraduate Program (IUP).
In response to the students’ curiosity, FKG UGM explained that dentistry graduates do not only work in private clinical practice, but also have opportunities in healthcare management, hospitals, BPJS Health, research, the healthcare industry, and public health policy.
During the discussion session, FKG UGM also reminded students not to choose study programs carelessly simply for the sake of “getting accepted somewhere.” According to the faculty, such attitudes risk wasting educational opportunities when students eventually withdraw because the program does not match their interests.
“When choosing a study program, first ask yourself whether it aligns with your passion? Do not get accepted and then withdraw, because that means taking away someone else’s opportunity,” said one faculty representative.
The message is highly relevant amid the growing phenomenon of career confusion among younger generations. Many students choose majors based on social pressure, prestige, or simply following friends, rather than deep understanding of their own interests and competencies.
Educational visits like the one conducted by SMA Negeri 3 Boyolali serve as examples of how schools and universities can collaboratively build a healthier and more visionary career development ecosystem.
At the end of the event, a simple yet meaningful message was delivered to the students.
“Besides effort and prayer, your parents’ blessing is the most important thing. God willing, when the prayers of children and parents come together, the path will become easier,” said Dyana Rakhmasari Kusumaningsih, S.E., M.Ec.Dev., Head of the Academic and Student Affairs Working Team, greeted with enthusiastic applause from the SMA Negeri 3 Boyolali delegation.
(Reporter: Andri Wicaksono, Photographer: Fajar Budi Harsakti)
