Pest Diagnosis, Agung Entered IPB Without Test
Thanks to his ability to diagnosis the plant pest, Agung Suryawijaya, the student of Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan Negeri (SMKN) 63 Jakarta succeeded to come through the position of a new student of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) through the track of National International Achievement (PIN). Agung was accepted in the Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture. Besides winning out the competition in diagnosing the plant pest in the activity of Gelar Inovasi Teknologi in 2011 which was held by Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education and Culture and Ministry of Youth and Sports, Agung also succeeded in snatching the III champion in the competition to make the vegetable pesticide and the application technique in the similar event. The activity was followed by the representation contingent of the provinces throughout Indonesia.
The pesticide he made was from the mixture of galangal, lemongrass and mimba seed with the comparison of 2:2:1. This pesticide was very potent to kill insects, caterpillar, fungus, and plant hopper. “That is because there is a rachtin compound in mimba which can kill insects. While galangal and lemongrass are efficacious to cut off the reproduction chain and ruin the insect’s digestion, so that it is barren and lazy to eat,” Agung said. The strong determination of Agung was very strong to win the competition. He was also a student at the Office of Plant Protection in Cibubur and took a school leave.
“Since childhood, I like the world of flora and fauna and want to pursue the agricultural field therefore I choose to continue my study at SMK in agriculture. I also want to continue my study at IPB. All this time IPB is known as the best university in the agricultural field,” Agung said. Agung was willing to live apart and entered the dormitory for his interest. Unsuccessful to get away of the tracks of SMNPTN Invitation and SNMPTN Written Examination, Agung tried his fortune to enter IPB through PIN track. “I am looking for the information of the entry track of IPB in the website. The chance is still there i.e. the tracks of PIN, BUD and Ujian Talenta Masuk IPB. I try to apply for PIN track. Alhamdulillah, I am granted. I feel happy,” Agung said.
Born in a simple family, Agung tried to fund himself for his education since the high school level. “I try to win some contests and get Supersemar and Mendikbud scholarships. I also open the small business like the ornamental plant supplier for the merchant of roving cart. I also do the Lele Sangkuriang cultivation,” explained the II Champion of Pemuda Pelopor of DKI Jakarta level. On the sidelines of his time, Agung also planted the rosella plant around the dormitory. The achiever student of Bidik Misi Scholarship was also active in helping the headmaster who accidentally was the expert in the plant protection field as the assistant of Plant Disturber Organism (OPT) in the field. The money which he received was used for school fees and fulfilled the daily needs.
His entrepreneurial spirit remained on, even during waiting for the announcement to enter IPB, Agung worked at Hotel Pullman Jakarta Central Park Jakarta as the supervisor of the plant landscape architecture there. “The salary is 3 millions rupiah. Nevertheless, I want to get more, so I decide to make serious efforts to continue the higher education,” he said. (ris)
