When Limitations Are No Barrier, Ekamaida’s Journey to a Doctorate at IPB University
Despite physical limitations that are not always easy to talk about, Ekamaida remained determined to complete her doctoral studies at IPB University. Her struggle was not only about completing her dissertation, but also about overcoming her own limitations, distance, and time.
As a lecturer and a mother, she faced days that were far from simple. Thousands of kilometers separated her from her family. Academic responsibilities, domestic roles, and the demands of her studies all ran concurrently, often in the same breath.
The journey to IPB University was not entirely smooth. In 2019, she failed to secure a scholarship from the Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM), forcing her doctoral studies to be postponed.
However, this failure did not deter her. She chose to persevere, refine her approach, and try again until the opportunity finally came. A year later, she was awarded a scholarship from the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP) under the Ministry of Finance.
“Alhamdulillah, I passed the LPDP, then re-registered in 2020 and started studying at IPB University,” she recalled.
Academically, Eka admitted that she did not encounter many obstacles. The environment of the Natural Resources and Environmental Management Study Program (PSL) at the IPB University Graduate School was very supportive of her learning process.
“The lecturers, advisors, and academic staff were all very supportive. I felt comfortable at IPB,” said the lecturer from the Agribusiness Study Program at Malikussaleh University, Aceh.
The classroom was not the only battlefield. Separated from her family who still lived in Aceh, she had to repeatedly divide her time between her studies and her household responsibilities. The situation became even more difficult because her child had scoliosis.
“The biggest obstacle was having to play dual roles. My child has scoliosis, so sometimes I had to return home suddenly. Added to that were my own health issues, which were quite draining,” she revealed.
There were times when she almost gave up. The long journey between Aceh and Bogor, research demands, and anxieties as a mother often came together. However, Eka chose to persevere.
“College life definitely has its challenges. But thanks to the support of my advisor, family, and friends, I feel that these challenges are not obstacles. God willing, if we are willing to try, there will always be a way,” she said.
She does not view her failure to obtain BPSDM funding as the end of the story. “Maybe it wasn’t my destiny at that time. God replaced it with LPDP, and that was an extraordinary blessing,” she said.
According to her, her greatest strength comes from her role as a mother. “I often feel tired, but seeing my children reminds me of the reason why I must keep moving forward,” she said.
Now, after officially earning her doctorate, Eka wants her voice to reach other women in similar situations.
“The roles of mother, lecturer, and student are not easy. But dreams should not stop just because of circumstances. As long as there is effort and prayer, Allah will open the way,” she concluded.
For Eka, the doctoral degree is not merely an academic achievement. It is proof that limitations are not a reason to give up, but rather an opportunity to demonstrate resilience. (AS) (IAAS/EPK)
