ITS graduate who is deaf, Nadya Andini, when receiving a diploma from ITS Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng during the ITS 129th Graduation procession at Graha Sepuluh Nopember ITS

ITS Campus, ITS News — An inspiring story was also present at the 129th Graduation Ceremony of the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS). In the midst of the euphoric moment of the graduates who were inaugurated on the second day of ITS’s 129th Graduation Ceremony, Sunday (21/4), there was a graduate with a disability who successfully completed his studies in 3.5 years and achieved the cum laude distinction.

Born with low hearing, Nadya Andini has proven her strong determination to pursue the highest possible education. This graduate from the ITS Development Studies Department also managed to graduate with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.88, or almost perfect.

The satisfactory score he obtained certainly did not escape the various difficulties he faced as a student with special needs. Nadya admitted that the hearing aids she used were not able to help her ears pick up sounds perfectly. Because of this, he always sat in the front seat to record the lecturer’s explanation with his cell phone. “At home, I asked my mother to help me listen to the recording and explain it again,” she said.

Nadya Andini from the ITS Development Studies Department, a deaf graduate, attended the ITS 129th Graduation Ceremony

Not only that, studying in an environment where the majority of people have normal conditions makes it a little difficult for Nadya to adapt. The bespectacled girl often feels overwhelmed when communicating with her friends. “My friends sometimes have difficulty catching my sentences because my pronunciation is not clear, and it is also quite difficult for me to hear what they say,” said Nadya.

Nevertheless, these challenges did not dampen his ambition to continue gaining knowledge. Nadya tries to continue learning and processing to become a competent student despite all her limitations. “Because I couldn’t understand the material in class, I maximized my understanding by adding independent study sessions at home every day,” she said.

Nadya Andini, while serving as chair of a group project in one of the courses in the ITS Development Studies Department

Nadya’s ambition and enthusiasm have apparently succeeded in making her develop into a more confident figure. This girl, who was born in Pamekasan on May 24, 2001, has also tried many new things outside of academics, one of which is taking part in competitions. He has participated in the National Student Exhibition for Information and Communication Technology (Gemastik) Scientific Writing twice, bringing a design for a deaf application.

Apart from being active in non-academic activities, Nadya is also active in participating in internship programs held on and off campus. The programs he participated in included the 2021 Indonesian Student Micro Credentials (KMMI)—Social Mapping Short Course, an independent project between the ITS Faculty of Creative Design and Digital Business (FDKBD) and Intako, as well as an independent internship at PDAM Surya Sembada, Surabaya City.

Nadya Andini, when conveying aspirations at the message session and impressions of graduates

Of course, behind all the activities he participated in were prayers and support from the people closest to him. The girl who likes drawing said that her steps were always accompanied by motivation from her mother to keep getting up and fighting. “Mama always supports me to develop, even with all my limitations,” said Nadya gratefully.

Nadya also feels grateful; her efforts and hard work from the start have paid off with the graduation status she has now obtained. He hopes that his story while studying at the Hero Campus can be an inspiration for people who are trying to pursue their dreams. “Limitations are just the beginning of the journey; don’t give up and keep going to achieve your educational dreams,” encouraged the girl from Pamekasan Regency.

At the graduation procession, after receiving her diploma from the chancellor, Nadya was also given the opportunity to convey the message and impressions of the graduates in front of all the attendees. He revealed that studying at ITS is not an easy thing for people with disabilities. “The support and motivation from lecturers and friends brought positive energy for me to continue fighting to achieve my dreams,” he said gratefully. (ITS Public Relations)

Reporter: Putu Calista Arthanti Dewi