Inspiring! Son of a Labourer from NTT Graduates as IPDN's Best Student
Aji Bayu Ramadhan still remembers his childhood in Soe District, South Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). He grew up in a modest family that lived on hard work and perseverance. His father was a construction labourer who moved from one project to another to provide for the family’s needs.
When the family’s economic situation grew more difficult, his father also worked as a scrap collector and craftsman. Meanwhile, his mother became the main pillar, accompanying and educating her children so they could hope for a better future.
“Wherever there was an opportunity, my father always tried to make the most of it,” said Aji in a written statement on Thursday (30/7/2026).
Aji’s journey to the Institute of Internal Government Administration (IPDN) was not an easy one. He came from a frontier, outermost and disadvantaged (3T) region with very limited access to information. Nevertheless, he persevered in seeking out information about the online selection process, armed with the prayers of his parents.
“The hardest thing I experienced when entering IPDN was information. Because I came from a 3T region where access to information is not yet very open,” he said after the Inauguration Ceremony of the 33rd Cohort of Junior Civil Administrators at the IPDN Jatinangor Campus, Sumedang Regency, West Java.
Aji realised that the opportunity to enter IPDN was open to anyone with strong determination. He witnessed first-hand that every stage of the selection process was conducted transparently and could not be interfered with by any party.
“I am a witness … seeing that all kinds of selection processes were carried out entirely online and could not be intervened with by anyone,” he said.
His struggle and sacrifices led Aji to pass and become an IPDN cadet. During his four years of education, all of his basic needs were fully met by the state.
“Of course, alhamdulillah, everything was provided to us free of charge here. I think everything — clothes, shoes, uniforms, food, electricity, water — all the foundations of life were provided to the fullest by the campus. So here, we simply arrived and focused on studying,” he said.
This tuition-free education system allowed him to concentrate on his studies and forge himself into a future government official. Aji successfully proved his abilities by achieving the title of best graduate and receiving the Kartika Astha Brata award.
The pinnacle of his journey came when he was officially inaugurated as part of the 33rd Cohort of Junior Civil Administrators. Aji, along with 1,203 other graduates, was inaugurated directly by President Prabowo Subianto.
“I am very grateful for everything that has happened, to our President. Because this is the first time President Prabowo has come to IPDN Jatinangor,” said the recipient of the Kartika Astha Brata award.
Now, the inauguration marks the beginning of his service. Aji is ready to step forward and dedicate himself fully to the people and the nation of Indonesia.