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| The figure of Syaiful Muhammad Usman, a UMM postgraduate student who works as a motor taxi driver. (Foto: Istimewa) |
Even though Syaiful, a UMM postgraduate student from Kupang enrolled in the sociology department, serves as a motor taxi driver on an online platform, he has a sky-high ideal. This man from East Nusa Tenggara aspires to be a statesman.
“My aim to study not only is purely to earn a degree, but also to enrich knowledge as much as possible and to improve my relations. I want to study sociology and politics because I aspire to be a statesman,” he stated.
With good time management skills, Syaiful balances his commitments to work professionally without ignoring his study obligations. Though his lectures are conducted online, he keeps studying seriously. “I work from the morning until the evening. When I have a lecture schedule, I turn off the driver application. Once my lecture ends, I continue working as a driver,” he uttered.
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Though his job is looked down upon, Syaiful does not feel insecure about it. Becoming an online motorcycle taxi driver offers flexibility in his life. He can receive hundreds of rupiahs within one day. Though the wage is little, he believes it gradually becomes abundant and can facilitate his life, including paying tuition fees. The key is not to let pride surround us a lot because the most important thing is that our job can be a blessing and suffice our life.
In fact, Syaiful attempts to continue his academic journey in higher education through scholarship application. “Alhamdulillah, Allah gives me path and easiness from unexpected things. I get a tuition fee deduction from the university because I am active in the Muhammadiyah Youth Association of Kupang. Also, I receive financial aid from BAZNAS, Dompet Dhuafa, and LAZISMU,” he said happily.
Syaiful does not want to miss this golden opportunity. Though a pretty far distance, he has a great spirit and wish. On the other hand, Syaiful feels optimistic. His serious effort can lead him to realise his dreams, like helping people through various created policies.
He does want to become one of a council members. In his view, the political area becomes a strategic place to help two people and more. Syaiful still feels less, though he has experience in an obligatory charity institution. Then, studying at UMM becomes one of his commitments to improve his self-capacity.
Choosing UMM as his place to study, Syaiful admits that this is the right choice. In his view, being a UMM student is his own pride. “Though the distance to reach UMM is far, we East Nusa Tenggara people, especially the Muslim ones, feel proud of studying at UMM because it has a religious nuance and international scale,” he uttered.
Besides providing scholarship opportunities, he feels the tuition fee for the master's degree program at UMM can be paid gradually. This step can lighten his life. Also, Syaiful feels comfortable due to the cooperative lecturers. (imh/aul/sil/wil)
