In a heartwarming ceremony in Surabaya, Professor Nurhasan, Rector of Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa), extended a special commendation to Elpanta Tarigan, a visually impaired graduate who completed his bachelor’s degree in a remarkable seven semesters. This exceptional achievement led to an immediate offer for Elpanta to join Unesa as a permanent employee.
“He managed to complete his bachelor’s degree in just seven semesters, which is why we showed our appreciation by offering him a choice: either an S2 (Master’s) scholarship or a permanent position at Unesa,” Prof. Nurhasan stated after the graduation ceremony on Wednesday (April 29).
Elpanta, a distinguished alumnus of the Special Needs Education (PLB) program, not only excelled academically but also made a name for himself as a national gold medalist in shot put, showcasing a remarkable blend of intellectual and athletic prowess.
Prof. Nurhasan, affectionately known as Cak Hasan, commended Elpanta’s decision to accept the permanent employee role. He explained that all Unesa staff members are afforded the invaluable opportunity to pursue further education, including Master’s and Doctoral degrees, completely free of charge. “It was a shrewd choice to become a permanent employee, as he will have the chance to continue his studies for free next year, whether at the S2 or S3 level,” he remarked.
Elpanta openly shared that his journey to a bachelor’s degree was far from easy, particularly after losing his sight at the age of 12. Nevertheless, he credited Unesa’s truly inclusive campus environment with helping him complete his studies remarkably quickly. “I have lived a challenging life given my condition, but I am confident and believe it was thanks to the unwavering support of my friends,” he stated with gratitude.
While currently embarking on his career at Unesa, Elpanta has ambitious plans to return to Medan after completing his Master’s degree. His ultimate goal is to significantly contribute to the development of inclusive education in his hometown. “I aspire to become a teacher or lecturer in Medan because, to my knowledge, there isn’t yet a Special Needs Education department in any state university in North Sumatra. I want to help build Medan,” he affirmed, highlighting his deep commitment to his roots and community.