Raeni, the daughter of a becak (pedicab) driver who recently inspired many by graduating with distinction from Semarang State University, can now pursue her dreams after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gave her a scholarship for a masterâs degree on Friday
aeni, the daughter of a becak (pedicab) driver who recently inspired many by graduating with distinction from Semarang State University, can now pursue her dreams after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gave her a scholarship for a master's degree on Friday.
Twenty-one-year-old Raeni graduated on Tuesday with an undergraduate degree in accounting, earning a grade point average (GPA) of 3.96, the best performing graduate out of 955 students.
Raeni's achievement has placed her in the spotlight as she has proved that economic hardship does not necessarily hinder people from realizing their dreams.
Raeni and her father, Mugiyono, met with Yudhoyono at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta on Friday before Yudhoyono headed to Denpasar, Bali, on a working visit.
'I have talked with the education and culture minister, and we both agree that the government [and] I should encourage and help Raeni to achieve her dreams,' Yudhoyono said on Friday as quoted on presidentri.go.id.
Raeni was given a scholarship abroad under a new plan called the Republic of Indonesia's Presidential Scholarship, which was officially launched by Yudhoyono in April before the legislative election.
The scholarships will be awarded to 100 Indonesian students who are accepted into master's or doctoral programs at 50 of the world's leading higher education institutions.
Yudhoyono said he was proud of the achievements of Raeni ' who wanted to continue her studies in England and later return to Indonesia as a lecturer ' deeming it as a proof that Indonesia's youth could achieve.
'Anyone, whether they are from wealthy [families] or less fortunate ones, can be achievers,' said Yudhoyono who was accompanied by Education and Culture Minister Mohammad Nuh.
Raeni, who was raised by Mugiyono and her mother, Sujamah, in Kendal, a town in Central Java, is the only person in their extended family to become a university graduate.
According to media reports, as a becak driver Mugiyono received an income of around Rp 10,000 (85 US cents) to Rp 50,000 per day. He also worked as a security guard at a school with a salary of around Rp 450,000 per month.
Raeni, who is Mugiyono's youngest daughter, studied at the school of accounting at Semarang State University on a full scholarship.
She also received a stipend of Rp 600,000 to cover costs like books and food.
Raeni graduated from SMK 1 vocational high school in Kendal, in which she was also named the best graduate.
'With Raeni's success, I hope you will also find better welfare,' Yudhoyono said to Mugiyono.
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