Teatime: How to and Becoming Zero to Hero?

This is The journey of a student with a broken home to get the Excellence scholarship at the Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII). His name is Arul Sulaiman. Believe it or not, he said, the power of a verse from the Koran allowed him to lead a completely different life.

In the Teatime, an afternoon casual chat program held regularly by the UII International Communication Department, presents Arul Sulaiman. The Teatime, on Friday, 18 February, 2022, is entitled The Importance of the Personal Branding and Scholarship for Higher Education Students. Arul tells his life story and how he went through his studies with the UII Excellence Scholarship.

Arul grew up in a family that lacked harmony. His parents separated when he was in grade 1 of elementary school. It made him live with a messy psychological condition. “I didn’t pass the class twice. At that time, I was like not taken care of. Never studied, often skipped school,” said Arul telling his story.

At the age of about ten years, God showed a miracle. Arul really believes in a verse in Al Baqarah 143 about patience and prayer as a helper: O you who believe, make prayer and patience your helper. Verily, Allah is with those who pray and are patient. “I believe it. At that time, I applied for all of it. In Al Baqarah verse 143, I really remember it,” recalls Arul of his dark days.

“I will apply for it. I am patient and pray. And so I can think about what I should do, “said Arul. Students who have decided to live alone since junior high school continue to keep themselves busy with various activities to achieve excellence. “I have to survive. I take part in activities that can hone skills, take part in various competitions at the district, national and even international levels.”

“Until finally I got this superior scholarship. I have to get better every day,” this last phrase seemed to have been his way of life for a long time.

College Life as a Student 

Getting this scholarship is a matter of pride because the awardee has to go through a fairly rigorous selection process by only selecting 20 people from thousands of applicants. “This scholarship is one of the things that makes me, with the background of my life not being promoted twice, I am increasingly challenged to improve myself, to be better in the future.”

Moreover, by getting this superior scholarship students are properly prepared to become outstanding and active students. “We also have a special preparation class. Apart from that, to be able to maintain the scholarship, the GPA must not be less than 3.7, and you must also actively participate in PKM,” continued Arul. PKM is a Student Creativity Program held by the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education.