(Unila): Lampung University (Unila) once again held its first graduation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic year on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Unila Multipurpose Building (GSG).
Among the hundreds of graduates in attendance, one who stood out was Omar Abdul-raoof Taha Ghaleb Al-Maktry, an international student from Yemen who successfully earned his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Unila.
The 25-year-old student previously pursued an applied bachelor’s degree in computer engineering at the Malang State Polytechnic (Polinema).
Through a scholarship from Unila, Omar had the opportunity to continue his postgraduate studies with a research project titled “Development of a BLE-Based Asset Tracking System for Healthcare Facilities Using ESP32 and a Web-Based Platform.”
Omar admitted that he chose to continue his studies at Unila because of its reputation as one of the best universities in Sumatra with qualified lecturers and complete facilities.
“I know that Unila is one of the best universities in Sumatra. That made me confident to continue my master’s studies here,” he said.
Omar’s journey in Lampung was certainly not always easy. When he first arrived, he felt alienated because he didn’t know anyone. However, over time, he began to adapt and find comfort.
“During my seven years in Indonesia, especially in Lampung, I learned about Indonesian culture and language and met many wonderful people. This made me fluent in Indonesian and feel that Lampung was like a second home,” he said gratefully.
In addition to deepening his knowledge, Omar’s experience studying at Unila also broadened his understanding of cultural diversity. He believes Unila is not just a campus, but a place to grow and build cross-border friendships.
Regarding his future plans, Omar is still open to many possibilities, including continuing his education to the doctoral level.
“If there is an opportunity, I plan to continue my doctoral studies, perhaps in the field of computer science,” he said.
Concluding his story of his journey at Unila, Omar advised students not to give up easily in pursuing their education.
“Even though it feels difficult, we must continue to fight. Never stop learning,” he said enthusiastically. [Gandhi Irawan]
