Banda Aceh, Wednesday (30/3). A fourth-semester student of the Mathematics Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala (FMIPA USK), was selected as the USK Reading Ambassador 2022. She is Rahma Dhiyaa Sausan, commonly known as Sausan. Initially, she knew very little about the Reading Ambassador program and only learned about the registration after it had been extended for several days. With confidence, she discussed the opportunity with her academic advisor, Vera Halfiani, S.Si., M.Mat. She did not expect much and never imagined becoming a Reading Ambassador. Her only hope was to pass the initial stage so she could take part in the mentoring activities, which she believed would be highly beneficial for expanding her knowledge and network.
A week after the registration closed, the announcement of document screening results was released, allowing selected candidates to proceed to written tests, interviews, and talent assessments. The written test covered knowledge of libraries, information related to USK, and general knowledge—topics that were unfamiliar to her and quite surprising. During the interview session, she felt extremely pessimistic for the first time. She returned home disappointed and convinced that she would not pass to the next stage, sharing her discouraging experience with her family.
On January 31, she received a congratulatory message that left her confused. When she later saw a post on the Instagram account of UKM Litfor USK, she was shocked and wondered how she could have been selected. Nevertheless, she felt very happy to be given a second chance. Sausan then prepared herself seriously for the month-long mentoring program held at the USK Library. However, when the schedule for the Top 16 finalists’ mentoring activities was released, her enthusiasm waned upon realizing how many sacrifices were required. She sought advice from her family and close friends about whether to continue. Multiple class absences, taking make-up exams alone, and studying independently with careful time management eventually became new responsibilities she chose to accept.
The mentoring program consisted of five sessions. In the first session, the finalists were guided on how to develop public speaking skills by Dr. rer. nat. Ilham Maulana, S.Si., Vice Dean III and Director of UP3AI FMIPA, who is also a public speaker. The program was delayed for more than three weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 19, 2022, the committee announced that the second mentoring session would continue with Charlis Siana Rosita, S.Sos., Head of Librarianship, who discussed library literacy. That week marked the beginning of an intense mentoring schedule for Sausan.
In the following session, the finalists were taught how to write a proper and effective essay by Yarmen Dinamika, a journalist from Harian Serambi Indonesia. The fourth mentoring class was guided by Suraiya Kamaruzzaman, S.T., L.LM., MT., a lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering USK and an active social activist who has received numerous national and international awards, including The 3rd Annual List of 16 Female Role Models Fighting to End Violence Against Women by The Pixel Project (2012) and the Aceh Australian Alumni (AAA) Award in 2021. She explained ethics in society and various aspects of volunteerism. In the final mentoring session, the finalists attended a sharing session presented by the USK Reading Ambassadors of 2019 and 2021.
While waiting for speakers during mentoring sessions, Sausan used her spare time to read books and practice course-related exercises. She did this consistently, as the mentoring program coincided with a busy Midterm Examination (UTS) and quiz schedule. Even on the final mentoring day, which was dedicated to presenting proposed work programs if selected as a Reading Ambassador, Sausan chose to spend her free time practicing exam questions, as she also had a compulsory midterm exam on the same day.
The following day, during the coronation ceremony, her name was announced among the top six finalists. She thought to herself, “At least I’ll get an award, even if it’s third place,” since her name was called last. However, on stage, Rahma Dhiyaa Sausan was announced as the USK Reading Ambassador 2022. Immediately, Tudung Gundala, the USK Reading Ambassador 2021, placed the sash on her. Sausan was still in disbelief and whispered to Tudung, asking whether her name had truly been called and whether there might have been a mistake. Tudung reassured her that it was indeed Sausan who deserved the title.
She expressed deep gratitude to her family, Ms. Vera, and her friends for their unwavering support, as without their encouragement and advice, she would not have been able to stand on that stage as the next USK Reading Ambassador. She was also thankful that all her sacrifices had been rewarded. With the title came new responsibilities—planning and implementing work programs. One of the first programs to be carried out was a radio broadcast aimed at encouraging the public to combat hoaxes by reading more and verifying information accurately. This program was conducted in collaboration with Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) on Monday, April 18, 2022.
Other major programs included providing literacy activities at a juvenile correctional facility in Lambaro, Aceh Besar, at an orphanage in Banda Aceh, and through the “Goes to Faculty USK” initiative. It is hoped that through this opportunity, Sausan can truly foster a love for libraries and literacy within the wider community, especially among USK students. (Sausan)
“Set resolutions you want to achieve in life, and be willing to make sacrifices for them. Because success never comes on its own.” — Sausan
Biodata
Name: Rahma Dhiyaa Sausan
Place and Date of Birth: Banda Aceh, April 12, 2003
Parent: Yusneti, S.E.
Cohort: 2020
GPA: 3.54
Email: rahmadhiyaass@gmail.com
Activities:
- Member of the Religious Affairs Department, HIMATIKA (2021–present)
- Member of the Education Division, Karya Salemba Empat Foundation (2021–present)
- Vice Head of the Women’s Division, LDF MIPA USK (2021–present)
- Head of Publication and Documentation, KSE USK Community Development (2021–present)
- Mentor, UP3AI FMIPA USK (2021–present)
- Producer, PIPM Culinary Sector: Boba Lahar (2021)
- Laboratory Assistant for Algorithms and Programming Course (2022)
- USK Reading Ambassador 2022