UNAIR NEWS 鈥 The Faculty of Medicine 东京热 (FK UNAIR), widely known for its highly competitive admissions, has聽 welcomed Rosa Alba as a prospective student through the 2026 Golden Ticket pathway. The Solo native gained聽 national recognition聽 after being named the top participant in the Science and Technology category at the Airlangga Science Olympiad (OSA), surpassing nearly 4,000 participants from across Indonesia.
Unexpected start leads to top achievement
Alba鈥檚 journey to FK UNAIR began with what she described as a casual attempt. In December 2025, she participated in the Airlangga Science Olympiad (OSA) without special preparation due to a schedule conflict with her school exams. Despite limited preparation, Alba secured first place in the Science and Technology category among approximately 3,000 participants. This achievement became the 鈥済olden ticket鈥 that opened her path to one of Indonesia鈥檚 leading medical faculties.
Alba admitted she initially doubted the result when she was contacted by the university, as she felt her performance had been average. 鈥淗onestly, I thought my score was not that good. Nothing special. So when I was contacted by the admissions office, I even asked, 鈥楢re you sure this is not a mistake?鈥欌 she said. However, after confirming聽 the information, her confidence grew and she became more determined to pursue the Golden Ticket pathway at UNAIR.
Strategic planning and alumni support
For Alba, choosing UNAIR required careful consideration. After conducting some of her own research, she realized that UNAIR offers strong opportunities for students with solid achievement portfolios. Insights from a senior who had successfully entered the Faculty of Dental Medicine (FKG) UNAIR through the same pathway played a key聽 role in shaping her strategy. She completed all stages of the process, from participating in OSA to attending the Airlangga Education Expo (AEE).
Alba explained that alumni guidance and internal information were instrumental in preparing her application. 鈥淪he told me, 鈥榊ou should try UNAIR, they really value all your certificates.鈥 She also guided me through the steps, like meeting eligibility requirements and participating in OSA,鈥 she said. Alba also included a school recommendation letter to support her numerous achievements. This bold decision proved successful, making her the first student from her school to break into the highly competitive FK UNAIR through this pathway.
Looking ahead to AMERTA 2026
After a long journey marked by anticipation and uncertainty, she received the life-changing news through a phone call from the UNAIR admissions office one afternoon. Having felt anxious due to the lack of updates, she immediately traveled from Solo to Surabaya by car after receiving the confirmation. The achievement brought relief not only to her but also to her extended family, who had supported her during the OSA process.
Now, Alba is preparing for her transition to university by focusing on self-development. 鈥淚 tend to overthink, so I like everything to be well planned. I want to improve my skills, maybe take TOEFL or IELTS, and look for scholarship opportunities,鈥 she added. She also expressed her enthusiasm for joining AMERTA 2026 and becoming part of campus life in Surabaya, which she considers culturally close to her hometown in Central Java. For her, being accepted into FK UNAIR is not only about prestige but also about proximity to family and access to high-quality education that she believes is often underestimated yet highly competitive.
聽Author: Fauziah Laili Romadhon
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
