Featuring the Chairperson of PSI Jakarta: UIN Jakarta Alumna Shares Her Political Journey with the 137th Cohorts

Auditorium Harun Nasution, UIN Online News — The third day of the 137th Graduation Ceremony of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, held on Saturday (August 30, 2025), was filled with both emotion and inspiration. In addition to the solemn conferment procession, the event featured a special address by UIN Jakarta alumna Elva Farhi Qolbina, S.IP., member of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Parliament (DPRD) and Chairperson of PSI Jakarta.

In her oration, the 2014 graduate of the Political Science Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at UIN Jakarta, shared her journey from her student days to her current role as a public representative in Senayan.

"I am nobody, just an ordinary woman from a modest family. But one of my greatest prides is being a daughter of UIN Jakarta. It was this campus that shaped me into who I am today," she said, greeted with applause from the graduates.

She emphasized that the journey after graduation would not always be smooth. Graduates, she said, will face challenging phases—from job rejections to social pressures. However, she urged them not to lose their spirit.

"We can never get everything we want instantly. There will be times of loss, disappointment, and even comparison. But believe me, there will also come a time when you suddenly land a job, receive your first salary, or get an unexpected opportunity," she said.

She also stressed the importance of staying faithful to small things.

"Eight years ago, I was just an ordinary staff member in Ciputat, arriving the earliest and leaving the latest. But that faithfulness to small things is what brought me to the enormous responsibility I hold today. So never underestimate the small processes in our lives," she advised.

Furthermore, the UIN Jakarta alumna reminded graduates not to belittle themselves.

"In my political career, I was often considered small, too young, or inexperienced. But no one truly knows where life’s journey will take us. Therefore, never belittle yourself," she said.

In closing, she offered a meaningful reflection:

"Today is neither an end nor merely a beginning. Today is proof that you are stronger and more prepared than when you first entered UIN Jakarta. Congratulations to all graduates, parents, and families who have fought together to reach this day. Let us celebrate our victory," she concluded.

The presence of this alumna, now actively contributing to the national political stage, once again affirms UIN Jakarta’s role as an institution that not only produces academically excellent graduates but also nurtures individuals who make tangible contributions to society.

(Kareena Auliya J./Zaenal M./Fauziah M./Muhamad Arifin Ilham/Photo: Aqilah Qurrotulaini)