Looking back on a career shaped by service, adaptability, and the transformative power of education, one figure stands out as a symbol of the modern Indonesian librarian. As Head of the Virtual Reference Service Team at the Perpustakaan Nasional RI (National Library of Indonesia), he bridges tradition and technology, patriotism and global connectivity. That figure is Achmad Riyadi Alberto, S.Ptk., an innovator whose leadership continues to redefine what it means to serve in the digital age.

Achmad’s journey started humbly, but his passion for learning and service was ignited early in his life. Born in 1995 in Bandung, he was a diligent student with a fascination for information and communication. When he entered Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia in 2013 to study Library and Information Science, he saw his academic journey as a platform to serve the nation. Throughout his years at UPI, he actively participated in various university activities, from organizing seminars to leading student organizations, which helped him develop leadership skills and a deep sense of community responsibility.

Foundations of Excellence and Global Perspectives

Achmad’s time at UPI was not merely about classroom learning; it was about understanding the importance of community service, adapting to new challenges, and continuously refining his skills. His involvement in student initiatives, such as the annual Semiloka Kepustakawanan Indonesia, allowed him to engage with national issues of librarianship and information management. These experiences cemented his belief that librarianship is both a noble profession and a vital cog in societal development.

He graduated in 2017 with a strong desire to serve Indonesia’s educational and informational needs, beginning his career at the National Library. His dedication and innovative approaches saw him quickly rise through the ranks, earning accolades such as the Pustakawan Layanan Perpusnas Terbaik (Best Librarian) in 2023 and recognition as a National Expert in Digital Library Services in 2024. His major breakthrough was leading the establishment of the Virtual Reference Service, which connects the library’s vast resources with users across Indonesia and beyond, tackling the digital divide and language barriers with ease.

A Pioneer in Digital Innovation and Inclusive Service

Achmad’s work exemplifies the integration of technological innovation and public service. Serving patrons from diverse backgrounds—including rural villagers, overseas Indonesian communities, and international researchers—has required him to develop skills in intercultural communication, language versatility, and problem-solving. His ability to serve multilingual users and cater to varying levels of digital literacy has made his team a model at the national level.

He believes that education at UPI played a vital role in shaping his outlook. “The university instilled in me a strong sense of patriotism and the importance of lifelong learning,” he says. “It taught me that knowledge should serve society, and that we must remain adaptable to the ever-changing landscape of information technology.”

He is dedicated to his own professional growth. He earned a Master’s degree in Information Management in 2020 and a certification as a Digital Librarian in 2022, all while doing his job. His hard work has turned the library into a lively center for digital literacy and open access.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Librarians and Leaders

Achmad’s message to UPI students and alumni is clear: stay curious, keep innovating, and serve with integrity. “The digital era demands librarians to be not only custodians of knowledge but also pioneers of change,” he emphasizes. He envisions UPI continuing to produce graduates who excel in digital literacy, multilingual competence, and community involvement—graduates who will shape Indonesia’s future in education and information.

As Indonesia advances in the digital age, Achmad Riyadi Alberto’s story stands as a testament to the transformative power of education rooted in resilience, adaptability, and a genuine desire to serve. His journey from Bandung’s humble beginnings to national recognition embodies UPI’s mission to nurture leaders who make a real difference, leaders who serve with heart and innovate with purpose. (VS)

From the vibrant academic corridors of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) to the quiet corners of rural Siak, Tria Bella Adumawati, S.Ptk., M.Sc., has carved a path defined by purpose, resilience, and public service. A proud graduate of UPI’s Library and Information Science program (Class of 2013–2017), Tria Bella now serves as a Public Librarian at the Department of Library and Archives, Government of Siak Regency, where she leads initiatives that bring knowledge closer to communities often left behind.

Her work is more than a profession—it’s a mission. In a region where access to information remains a challenge, Tria Bella has become a driving force behind literacy outreach, mobile library services, and community-based learning. “One of the greatest challenges,” she reflects, “is raising literacy awareness in rural areas where infrastructure is limited. But that challenge became my motivation—to innovate and bring library services closer to the people.” Her efforts have helped transform libraries from static institutions into dynamic hubs of empowerment.

Tria Bella’s professional journey is marked by national recognition. She is a certified librarian through the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP), a credential that affirms her expertise and dedication to the field. Her academic excellence earned her a Domestic Scholarship from Pusbindiklatren Bappenas RI, supporting her postgraduate studies and reinforcing her role in strengthening human resource capacity within the public sector.

Behind these achievements lies a foundation built at UPI. “My education at UPI shaped not only my professional skills but also my values,” she shares. “The academic rigor, the spirit of inquiry, and the culture of sharing knowledge instilled in me a deep respect for education and public service.” She fondly recalls the warmth of faculty-student relationships and the formative experiences in student organizations that sharpened her leadership and communication skills—qualities she now brings to her role as a government official and literacy advocate.

Her message to current students is both practical and inspiring: “Enjoy every moment of your university journey. Don’t just chase grades, build networks, gain experience, and shape your character. The world of work demands more than knowledge; it calls for adaptability, empathy, and a lifelong passion for learning.”

As UPI continues to champion excellence in education and information science, alumni like Tria Bella Adumawati stand as living proof of the university’s impact. Her story is a reminder that libraries are not just about books, but also about people, possibilities, and the power of knowledge to transform lives.

When Asep Sukendar reflects on his path from Bandung schoolboy to renowned education leader, the thread running through his life is clear: the power of character, discipline, and service. His journey, evolving from student leader at IKIP Bandung (now UPI) to transformational headmaster across Indonesia’s most respected boarding schools, is a testament to the enduring spirit of educational stewardship.

Born in Bandung in 1961, Asep’s early years were marked by a passion for both learning and leadership. After excelling in local schools, he entered UPI’s Indonesian Language Education program in 1981—a place where, beyond coursework, he would find his voice in campus life. Whether organizing as Student Senate officer, chairing the Indonesian Language Student Association, or commanding Resimen Mahasiswa Menwa Battalion XI (Student Regiment members), Asep’s dedication to organization became the wellspring of his trademark discipline and integrity.

A Journey of an Educator

Graduating in 1985, Asep embarked upon a mission that would define the next three decades. His first post at SMA Negeri 2 Bekasi set the tone: an educator’s devotion to shaping students’ minds and moral fiber. In 1990, drawn to greater educational challenges, he joined SMA Taruna Nusantara in Magelang or known as an elite residential school renowned for grooming future leaders of the nation, where he instilled discipline, resilience, and ethical leadership among cadets.

Asep’s vision for holistic education only expanded. Trusted as principal at various prestigious state high schools in Magelang from 2006 to 2018, he wove a culture of achievement, innovation, and character across every institution he led. His tenure at SMA President International Boarding School in Cikarang further raised his profile, highlighting his commitment to integrating global perspectives with Indonesian values.

Not only did Asep prioritize professional growth by earning his master’s degree in 2001 and doctorate in 2018 from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, but he also nurtured future leaders, serving as a mentor to figures now among the upper echelons of Indonesia’s public service and military. Many recall his blend of firmness and warmth, his insistence that character is the true legacy of an educator.

Reimagining Education in the Digital Era

Now an active consultant for leading boarding schools, including Taruna Nusantara branches in Magelang, Cimahi, and Malang, Asep continues to influence Indonesia’s educational ecosystem. His impact is not only local but national: developing frameworks for character-based, digitally literate education capable of preparing a new generation for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Asep’s advice for Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia and its alumni is as forward-thinking as his own career. He calls on his alma mater to lead in curriculum transformation—integrating digital literacy, artificial intelligence, and project-based learning into teacher education. He envisions UPI not just as a producer of skilled teachers, but as a crucible for digital innovators and edupreneurs, for globally connected leaders who inspire as much as they educate.

A Legacy Carved by Service

From the halls of IKIP Bandung to the vanguard of education reform, Asep Sukendar has never lost sight of the educator’s sacred trust. For alumni and students, he embodies what it means to serve:” constantly adapting, always learning”, yet never compromising on the foundational values of discipline, integrity, and stewardship.

“We are called not just to teach, but to lead by example, to be beacons of character in an age of change,” says Asep. His story, woven with resilience and guided by vision, shows that in every generation, the real impact of an educator is measured not by accolades but by the lives inspired and the legacy left behind.

When Putri Ayu Rizqi Rengganis walked onto the stage of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia’s Gymnasium Hall to address the fresh graduates, her words resonated not just as advice, but as lived truth. “A diploma,” she said, “is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a responsibility.”

As the Assistant Vice President of Priority Banking at the Indonesia’s largest state-owned banks, Ayu has carved a path that illuminates how integrity, persistence, and gratitude form the foundation of sustainable success.

Her story began in 2006 when she entered UPI’s Accounting program at the Faculty of Economics and Business Education. Those years, she recalled with affection, were filled with long nights, working through dense financial models, revising her thesis multiple times under the guidance of Prof. Ikin Solikin, and learning the discipline and precision that would later define her banking career.

“I once promised myself I’d be the first to graduate in my batch,” she laughed. “And though the journey demanded more patience than I expected, UPI taught me that education was never just about grades—it was about building character and spirit.”

The Making of a Young Leader

Ayu’s career began within the familiar walls of her university, working in UPI’s Directorate of Finance before stepping into the fiercely competitive world of banking. The transition was not easy, but she carried with her the resilience honed by years of balancing work, study, and self-belief.

Fourteen years later, that dedication has earned her a senior leadership position and, in 2025, the prestigious Mandiri Excellent Award—a recognition given to high-performing professionals whose contributions strengthen the institution’s vision and service culture.

“When I first started, I had no intention other than to learn,” she reflected. “My goal was simple: to give my best in every role. I believed that consistent effort, no matter how small, would one day speak for itself.”

Redefining UPI’s Professional Legacy

For Ayu, success is not measured by titles or salary, but by impact. She proudly shared that today’s UPI graduates stand shoulder to shoulder with peers from Indonesia’s most prominent universities.

“There was a time,” she admitted, “when people underestimated UPI graduates. But now, those same graduates are accepted into national leadership development programs, including management trainee tracks at top banks. That’s proof of how far we’ve come as individuals and as a university community.”

Her statement drew applause from fellow alumni and graduates who listened attentively as she redefined UPI’s identity with a mix of pride and challenge: “Let the world know that Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia is no longer Universitas Padahal IKIP, but Universitas Padahal Isinya Orang-Orang Hebat (a university of extraordinary people and future leaders).”

A Call to Dream, Learn, and Serve

Before stepping down from the podium, Ayu left a call that would linger long after the applause faded.

“Never stop learning. Never stop dreaming. Your degree is only a key to open more doors of service,” she said warmly.

To her, professional achievement is meaningful only when it uplifts others, when talent meets purpose. Her journey from lecture halls to the boardrooms of a national bank is not just about personal success, it is a reflection of UPI’s evolving vision: to nurture graduates who balance intellect with conscience, ambition with humility.

Ayu’s inspirational story contains a subtle but strong message: education, when driven by purpose, may transform any beginning into a fresh opportunity to serve with excellence and grace. (VS)

When Dr. H. Saan Mustopa, M.Si. stepped into the Gymnasium Hall of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia in October 2025, his return to alma mater was more than ceremonial—it was a homecoming to the roots of his transformation. Standing before thousands of graduates, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shared a deeply personal reflection on perseverance, identity, and the lifelong value of education.

For the alumnus from Karawang, the story began humbly. In his youth, he studied beneath the dim light of a lampu cempor (a kerosene lamp) because his village had no access to electricity. “From elementary through high school, I studied using that lamp,” he recalled. “When I was accepted through the PMDK pathway in 1988 to study Physics at IKIP Bandung, my dream was simple: to become a physics teacher.”

But destiny had broader plans. His years at IKIP Bandung (now Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia) became the crucible where his worldview, leadership, and moral compass were forged.

Formed by Community and Critical Thinking

Life as a student in those days was marked by modest means but rich intellectual and social experience. Saan remembered nights spent sleeping in the student union office, morning showers at Masjid Al-Furqon, and endless discussions about social issues that lasted until dawn. “If I had to choose between attending class or joining an intercampus activist forum,” he said with a smile, “I would choose the discussion, it was where I learned to understand reality, to struggle, and to become a person sensitive to public issues.”

Through these formative experiences, he developed not only academic intelligence but also a profound social awareness. His involvement in student organizations, from Chair of the Physics Student Association to Secretary General of the Student Senate, cultivated the confidence to think critically and act decisively.

“This campus changed my life,” he reflected. “I was once a shy village boy, but IKIP Bandung made me brave enough to think independently and speak truth to power.”

Leadership Rooted in Integrity

Today, as the Third Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives for Industry and Development, Dr. Saan Mustopa continues to carry the values that were born in the classrooms and discussion halls of UPI. His professional journey mirrors the resilience and integrity that UPI’s educational philosophy fosters—leadership grounded in conscience, not ambition.

He often recalls that his political path was not premeditated but rather an extension of his lifelong belief that education must lead to social contribution. To him, campus life was never isolated from society; it was a “laboratory of life” that trained him to face the complexity of the real world.

A Legacy of Responsibility and Hope

Before concluding his speech to the graduating class, Dr. Saan left them with a message that resonated deeply: being a UPI alumnus is both an honor and a moral duty.

“We can never detach ourselves from our identity as part of the UPI family,” he urged. “To preserve our integrity is to uphold the good name of our university. UPI shaped me into a person of courage and principle, and that is something I carry wherever I go.”

His story, illuminated by determination and humility, remains a testament to how education can transform personal struggle into public service. From the dim glow of a lampu cempor in Karawang to the bright lights of Indonesia’s parliamentary chamber, Dr. Saan Mustopa’s journey stands as an enduring inspiration, a reflection of UPI’s vision to nurture graduates who not only excel academically but also serve with heart and purpose. (VS)