Institut Teknologi Kalimantab (ITK) once again celebrated an outstanding achievement during its 18th Graduation Ceremony held on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the ITK Integrated Laboratory Auditorium. The spotlight this time shone on Dimas Pramudya, a student of the Informatics Study Program under the Faculty of Science and Information Technology, who graduated with the highest GPA in both his Faculty and the entire Institute an impressive 3.83. But behind that number lies a story of doubt, perseverance, and contagious passion.

“I feel proud and relieved. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I could graduate on time—I even considered postponing my thesis seminar to the next semester. But somehow, I made it to this point.” — Dimas Pramudya

Dimas began his university life as an ordinary student, going through the routine of classes and heading home, without high expectations. But over time, he found his rhythm—joining competitions, engaging in lecturers’ research projects, and eventually landing an internship. All these experiences became chapters in a journey that brought him to the honorary podium—not just as a graduate, but as a source of inspiration.

From Guilt to Motivation

One of Dimas’ biggest sources of strength came from his family. He admitted to feeling like a burden at times for frequently needing help. But his parents' sincere words became the strongest fuel for his drive.

“They told me it’s okay because that’s what parents are meant to do for their children. They don’t want to see me struggling. From that moment, I made a promise that I didn’t want to keep making things harder for them.” — Dimas

Simple words, but deeply meaningful—those words eventually became a life principle: to keep pushing forward, not just for a degree, but to honor the unconditional love of his parents.

The Thesis Isn't So Scary, If...

When asked about tips for completing a final thesis, Dimas offered an honest and realistic answer. For him, the key lies in starting early and choosing a topic you're already familiar with. He even based his thesis on a project he had developed for a competition back in his sixth semester.

“The hardest part isn’t doing the work, it’s finding the motivation. But I was saved by the support of my friends and lecturers. They kept reminding me there was still time. And they were right.” — Dimas

He encourages other students to actively seek out topics early on and not hesitate to enter competitions—because that’s where great opportunities often arise, and they can significantly ease your academic journey.

Behind the Scenes: A Programmer, Bedroom Singer, and Happy Introvert

Despite his demanding schedule as a student, Dimas remained productive. He worked freelance as an app developer and held a position as a Software Programmer in Balikpapan while completing his thesis. Time management was undoubtedly a major challenge, but he overcame it with commitment.

“As for hobbies, I listen to music and sing every day even if my voice is bad. Sometimes I play badminton with friends from my program. But most of the time, I prefer being alone being around too many people can be exhausting.” — Dimas

Behind the accolades and high GPA, Dimas is living proof that greatness doesn’t require perfection. He’s just a regular person with doubts, fatigue, and days when giving up felt tempting. But he chose to keep going slowly if necessary as long as he kept moving forward.

Congratulations!

 Dimas' story is a reminder that every journey takes its own time, and every achievement begins with the courage to try. To all students who are still fighting their own battles, this story is proof that no effort is ever wasted as long as you have the spirit to endure and a sincere heart to keep learning.

“Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey. I love you all.” — Dimas Pramudya