The Inspiring Story of Elvina and Her Father Steals the Spotlight at UGM 2026 Graduation
Emotion filled the scene at the Bachelor’s Graduation Ceremony for Period III of Academic Year 2025/2026 at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Thursday, 21 May 2026. Among thousands of graduates filling Grha Sabha Pramana, public attention turned to a young figure named Elvina Marla Banowati, a UGM medical graduate who completed her studies with Cum Laude and a GPA of 3.88.
However, it was not only Elvina’s academic achievement that captured attention. Behind the gown and her smiling expression lay a family story that is powerful, emotional, and inspirational.
Elvina is the daughter of Dr. Ir. Lasarus Bambang S., ST., MM., IPU., CRGP., a figure who had already drawn public attention at UGM in April 2025 after being named the university’s top doctoral graduate with a perfect GPA of 4.00. The story has been described by many as one of the most inspirational family narratives in the UGM academic environment in recent years.
The inspirational family story began on 2 August 2022. That date became one of the most historic days for the Lasarus Bambang family. On the same day, father and daughter officially donned UGM jackets and began their academic journey at the same campus, albeit at different levels of study.
If Dr. Ir. Lasarus Bambang started as a student in the UGM Doctoral Programme, their daughter Elvina Marla Banowati, who also completed her schooling at SMA Negeri 8 Jakarta, started her first day as a new student at the UGM Faculty of Medicine.
For the family, that moment was not merely the start of ordinary university life. The day became a symbol of the beginning of a joint journey between father and daughter in pursuing academic dreams at one of Indonesia’s best universities.
The sight of a father and daughter wearing light brown or khaki university jackets on the first day of studies became a memory that the family continues to cherish. While most parents typically accompany their children into the campus, Lasarus instead sat as a new student alongside his daughter. This unique journey had previously been revealed by Lasarus in his doctoral graduation address in April 2025 before the rector, the academic community, professors, and thousands of graduates accompanied by their families in Grha Sabha Pramana, UGM.
“The first day I wore the UGM university blazer was 2 August 2022. On the same day, my daughter also wore the same blazer as a new student of the UGM Faculty of Medicine,” Lasarus said with a quivering voice during his Doctoral Graduation address on 23 April 2025.
The remark drew lengthy applause from those in attendance. Not a few guests appeared moved by hearing the story of the father-and-daughter academic journey.
Many view the moment as not only unique but also meaningful. The tale depicts a father-daughter relationship that is not only emotionally close but also shared a strong passion for education.
Amid his busy schedule as a professional at one of the state-owned enterprises (BUMN), Lasarus nonetheless chose to continue his doctoral studies. Meanwhile Elvina, who from the outset aspired to become a doctor, embarked on a long struggle in the highly competitive and academically challenging world of medicine. Although from different generations, both followed almost the same campus rhythm. They faced coursework, examinations, research, academic presentations, and the pressure to complete their studies with the best possible results.
The family describes the journey as an experience filled with struggle as well as togetherness. There were times when the father and daughter worked on assignments until late at night, discussed campus life, and even encouraged each other when facing academic pressure.
“The child dreams of becoming a doctor, the father a doctor-to-be,” the family recalled as they remembered their early days at UGM.
That simple sentence later became a symbol attached to their academic journey. Many netizens and members of the academic community view the story as a real-life illustration of the culture of learning fostered within a family through exemplary conduct, discipline, and mutual support.
For some, the story may seem simple. Yet in the academic environment, the journey of a father and daughter who began higher education together at the same university is a rare occurrence.
Now, almost four years after that historic day, their journey has borne fruit. The father has completed his doctoral studies with the title of best graduate and a perfect GPA of 4.00. Meanwhile, Elvina has completed her Bachelor of Medicine with Cum Laude and a GPA of 3.88.
From the first day of wearing the university blazer to standing on the stage of achievement, their story stands as evidence that education can be a family journey full of inspiration and meaning. Elvina’s success is also an inspiration and motivation for her younger brother, Yukio Marsa Yudhistira, who is also studying at one of Indonesia’s public universities in 2026.
The Lasarus Bambang family, and Elvina Marla Banowati’s story, has not only attracted attention at UGM’s 2026 graduation, but has also evolved into an inspirational symbol of the meaning of education in modern Indonesian families. Amid various stories of academic competition and the pressures of higher education, their journey offers a different face of education: one characterised by exemplary conduct, emotional closeness, and family unity in pursuing goals.
Many regard the academic achievements of both as not merely the product of individual intellect. More than that, the tale is seen as illustrating the importance of a culture of learning built within the family and the emotional support among family members.