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UNAIR NEWS – “Go to work, college is expensive,” one student told the team mimicking his relatives giving advice near his graduation. For all senior high school students from poor families, the sentence is often heard and be an obstacle to motivate themselves to go to higher education.

Not even planning on going to college, imagining to follow post-high school education demands courage, especially in the area with limited information and internet access.

The obstacles are trying to be eliminated by AUBMO team, Bidikmisi student organization of , when they held a dissemination on bidikmisi scholarship in Tambak, Banyumas, Central Java. The team consisting of three UNAIR students is trying to bring hope in SMA PGRI Tambak so the students will not be afraid to dream.

“Being financially challenged does not mean we are not entitled to get a higher education,” said Fitri, a team member, opened the dissemination. “The government has awarded scholarships to the poor students to study at favorite universities. Take the advantage of it, ” she added.

In the socialization on Tuesday, January, 28 students paid close attention to the explanation of the team. From time to time they were serious about joting things down, then asked questions about them.

“The registration is free, right?” one student asked hesitantly.

According to Rizki Nur Azizah, one of the team members, most of the students there were in doubts. Even their parents as well. Because, before, there has not been a bidikmisi student there.

“Yes, probably because there is no facts. So, they (students, ed) are hesitant so choose to abandon their desire to pursue higher education. Therefore, by parents, relatives, and close people, they are directed to work after graduating from high school, ” she said.

In addition, she continued, in the area, although located not too far with the subdistrict office, access to information is limited. Therefore, the community, especially the students, do not have enough information about scholarships and campus life. As a result, the spirit and image for continuing education to a higher level is difficult to build.

Novi hoped the students continue to build, then grow their desire and motivation to continue education to college by trying to be serious in learning and praying.

Meanwhile, Headmaster of SMA PGRI Tambak Sriyatun admitted that the presence of AUBMO team was very helpful in providing information related to universities, especially the bidikmisi scholarship and college life. They also gave motivation and spirit of students to dare to dream.

“Not that they have no desire, but there’s limited information. That’s the obstacles. Their presence (AUBMO team, ed) is very helpful to us, ” she said about the dissemination. “I hope the children (students, ed) can be motivated and enthusiastic and able to be accepted in one of the state universities, especially in UNAIR,” she added. (*)

Author: Novitri Widiasih

Editor: Feri Fenoria