For Basmawati Haris, education is not merely about earning a degree or finishing one's studies quickly. More than that, it is a path to extending the benefit of knowledge to society. This principle is what led her to be named best and fastest graduate at the First Period Commencement for Academic Year 2026/2027, on the second day of commencement, Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in the Multipurpose Building at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta.

A graduate of the Master's Program in Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies at the UIN Sunan Kalijaga Graduate School, Basmawati has an academic journey closely tied to her professional work in philanthropy and community empowerment. She works at the National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) of the Republic of Indonesia and is also a community empowerment practitioner. She chose UIN Sunan Kalijaga because the fields of study it offers align with her work and service.

The opportunity to continue her education through a BAZNAS RI scholarship strengthened her resolve. For her, the master's program was a chance to deepen her knowledge and build her capacity so she could contribute more broadly to society.

During her studies at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Basmawati found an academic experience that went beyond classroom learning. She felt the support of lecturers who were present not only in class but also offered guidance throughout the process of completing her studies, including while she wrote her thesis.

"The lecturers at UIN were a great help in completing my studies. They don't only teach in the classroom; they also provide mentoring. Outside of class, we were invited to discuss ideas to build our capacity as students," she said.

That experience also fueled her motivation to produce more scholarly work. Open academic interaction and lecturer mentoring encouraged her to further develop her critical thinking and writing skills and to broaden her intellectual horizons.

For Basmawati, this became one of the most valuable parts of her time at UIN Sunan Kalijaga. The supportive academic environment helped her adapt well, even though she had to leave her home region and build a new life in Yogyakarta.

Earning top honors while finishing her studies in a relatively short time was not without challenges. Alongside a busy work schedule, Basmawati also takes on the roles of wife and homemaker. Dividing her time among work, family, and academic responsibilities was a challenge in itself.

Still, strong determination, focused planning, and the support of those closest to her helped her through every stage. She made a habit of setting goals and a timeline for her achievements throughout her studies so that every responsibility could be carried out consistently.

"The secret is being consistent, having a timeline for what I wanted to achieve during my studies, building relationships, and asking lots of questions. I didn't just want to gain knowledge; I wanted what I do to be of benefit," she said.

Behind this achievement, her family was her greatest source of support. During her studies in Yogyakarta, Basmawati lived far from her husband, child, and parents. Their support allowed her to stay more focused on her studies. In addition, the opportunity to keep learning and growing from the leadership at her workplace, along with the support of her colleagues, was an important part of her academic journey.

Notably, Basmawati sees the title of best graduate as more than recognition of academic excellence or a place at the front of the graduating class. For her, the honor represents struggle, consistency, and the good that one can do for others.

"The title I received today is not just about who is the greatest or the best. It's about struggle, consistency, and benefit," she said.

Her commitment to community empowerment was already part of her journey before she completed her master's degree. She has received the Women Economic Empowerment Leader Award 2024 from the Governor of South Sulawesi for her work in accompanying and empowering communities.

That experience further reinforced her view that a person's success should be measured not only by personal accomplishment but also by how far their knowledge, experience, and abilities benefit others.

"My biggest dream is not to be known by many people, but for what I have to be of benefit to many people. I want to leave behind goodness that people remember," she said.

This outlook is in line with the educational spirit of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, which promotes not only academic excellence but also links the development of knowledge to real problems in society. Basmawati's experience shows how higher education can be a space for building professional capacity while strengthening social commitment.

To students still in school, she offered this advice: don't be afraid to try, and have the courage to seize every opportunity available. In her view, limitations are no reason to stop trying, because opportunities are always open to those who are willing to try and keep learning.

"Education is not just about degrees, but about how benefit can be felt by many people. While you are studying, be a successor of goodness, because goodness is contagious," she said.

For Basmawati, commencement is not the end of the journey. Her master's degree and her title as best and fastest graduate are instead provisions for continuing her service. In the end, the success of education is not only about how quickly someone finishes their studies, but about how far the knowledge they gain can nurture goodness in life. (humassk)