Sri Roka’afin Minhatun Maula, affectionately called Lala, was occasionally choked with emotion as she shared a piece of her journey after being declared graduated as a dentist at the Judicium on 25 August 2025. Tears of joy welled up in the corners of her eyes. Her journey was no less thrilling and winding than the surging challenges of dentist profession education.
Sri Roka’afin Minhatun Maula, known as Lala, is a professional program student of dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Lala was one of the top scorers in the Indonesian Competency Examination for Dentist Profession Education Program Students (UKMP2DG) Period III 2025. She achieved a theory score of 98.33. For Lala, numbers were not the end result but rather a milestone in completing her dentist profession education program at FKG UGM.
“The first time I heard, I was literally trembling, I couldn’t believe it, I was so shocked, because my focus was simply to pass UKMP2DG, but Allah gave me a bonus,” Lala said enthusiastically. For her, this was an additional form of appreciation for herself because it reflected an extraordinary struggle.
Lala holds a life principle: “When you fail, you have to pause for a while, then leap again, and eventually run and move forward,” she said. Indeed, pursuing the dentist profession education program marked the lowest point in her life. For 6 months, Lala struggled with her right hand, which could not function properly after doctors diagnosed a ligament rupture that required surgery. Previously, Lala had fallen but did not feel the injury in her right hand—until it became a serious injury that prevented her from working during her co-assistantsclinical training. On top of that, while studying in the dentist profession education program, Lala also had to work to earn extra income because co-assistants clinical training required considerable expenses.
“So I also took on the role of a dental nurse and learned more in other clinics. During one week, there was hardly a break: 5 days of co-assistants clinical training, then Saturday and Sunday working non-stop. Usually from 10 in the morning until 5 in the evening, sometimes even until midnight. My hands never rested until the moment they hurt, but I still used them to continue working on patients,” Lala explained. Eventually, her right hand became immobile. After consulting a doctor, the only way to continue her professional education was through surgery. “Dentists work with their minds and hands. Hands are gold—and it was my right hand. The only decision was surgery because the ligament was affected.”
“There wasn’t much time to decide, because the longer it was delayed, the worse it would become. So at that time, I decided right away,” said Lala with teary eyes. She called her parents to ask permission, and they agreed to the surgery. After 6 months, Lala’s right hand could be used again. From then on, she continued her co-assistants clinical training until completion.
Lala is one of many portraits of student fighters. Intelligence alone is not enough; determination and persistence in facing various challenges are essential parts of personal and academic growth. Where there is a will, there is always a way.
Author: Andri Wicaksono | Photo: Fajar Budi Harsakti
Editor: Shinta
