EN.malanginspirasi.com – Amid the sea of colorful togas filling the Grha Sepuluh Nopember at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) in Surabaya, two extraordinary individuals stood out during the university’s 133rd graduation ceremony on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Rochman Sugiarto and Siens Harianto proved that passion for learning knows no age limit. One became the youngest graduate at just 20 years and 1 month old, while the other earned his doctorate at 65, showcasing that determination can triumph at any stage of life.
For Rochman Sugiarto, being named the youngest graduate was the culmination of an accelerated academic journey that began in junior high school. While wearing the white-and-blue SMP uniform, he enrolled in an acceleration program that shortened his middle-school years to just two instead of the usual three.
Building on that momentum and supported by unwavering family encouragement, the Sidoarjo-born student repeated the fast-track approach in senior high school. In total, he completed both levels of secondary education in only four years.
“Because I managed to survive the acceleration program in SMP, my parents fully supported me doing the same in SMA,” Rochman explained.
Graduating at a remarkably young age, the 2006-born student developed a deep interest in engineering. At just 16, he was already a freshman in the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at ITS. He chose the program because of its promising career prospects in Indonesia’s growing industrial sector.
Throughout his university years, the badminton enthusiast balanced rigorous academics with extracurricular involvement. He actively participated in student organizations, served on various committees, and worked as a laboratory assistant.
“The main challenge was managing my time effectively, but I genuinely enjoyed every part of the process,” he recalled. His ambition is to become an engineer specializing in oil and gas or mining industries.
As the final chapter of his undergraduate studies, Rochman chose a thesis on photocatalytic materials. Driven by concern over rising carbon dioxide (CO₂) pollution, he researched ways to convert the greenhouse gas into valuable products. Using cellulose nanocrystals, ZIF-8, and CuO, he successfully developed a method to transform CO₂ into methanol. His dedication paid off: he graduated with magna cum laude honors and an impressive GPA of 3.77.
In stark contrast, Siens Harianto’s story highlights that the pursuit of knowledge can burn brightly even in later years. Born in Bandung on April 23, 1961, he began his doctoral program in Technology Management at ITS’s School of Interdisciplinary Management and Technology (SIMT) at the age of 59.
As a member of the very first cohort, he successfully defended his dissertation and earned his doctorate at 65, achieving a GPA of 3.67 with “very satisfactory” predicate.
Despite starting his PhD in his late 50s, Siens’s motivation was rooted in profound personal conviction. He views lifelong learning as both a spiritual duty and a way to leave a lasting legacy for his children and grandchildren.
“The Creator promises ease on the path to heaven for those who remain faithful in seeking knowledge,” he shared.
“I also want to create a legacy for my children and grandchildren,” he added.
His professional background as Technical Advisor at PT Indal Steel Pipe added real-world depth to his studies, yet the journey was far from smooth. Siens faced repeated challenges in selecting and refining his dissertation topic—changing it almost every time he reached a new examination stage. Compounding these academic hurdles were declining motor skills and memory, which made every step more difficult.
“I gathered arguments one by one, slowly and painstakingly, until the dissertation finally came together,” he said with visible relief.
Both graduates offered inspiring advice to current and future students: maintain unwavering spirit and consistency throughout your studies. Their remarkable achievements not only celebrate personal perseverance but also align perfectly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—specifically Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
