Muhammad Rajib Rakatirta, or commonly known as Rajib, is one of the recipients of the educational scholarship program provided by the Indonesian Inspiration Building Foundation (YIIM) and PT. Insight Investments Management (INSIGHT) in 2016. Rajib is an alumnus of the University of Indonesia (UI), majoring in Communication, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP UI).

Rajib is the first child of two siblings. Currently, he lives with his family in the Sawangan area, Depok. His father is an administrative employee at the University of Indonesia, and his mother is a homemaker.

The Effort to Apply for a Scholarship to Ease Parents’ Burden

Since Rajib was in elementary school (SD) until high school (SMU), he always received scholarships. These scholarships were very helpful in easing the burden on his parents. During college, Rajib was advised by his father to apply for a scholarship. He then searched for scholarships through the UI website, which contained information about various scholarships.

While browsing the campus website, he came across the inspiration scholarship from INSIGHT and YIIM. Rajib then immediately attempted to register himself for the scholarship. The application process involved submitting documents such as a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) and training certificates alongside academic activities. After waiting for some time, Rajib finally received the scholarship starting from his third semester until graduation. Rajib stated:

“At the time I got accepted, I was happy actually because besides helping my parents, I also received an allowance. It’s rare for a scholarship to provide an allowance.”

Activeness on and off Campus

During his studies, Rajib was active in organizations such as BEM FISIP. In his first year, he became a BEM board member as a staff member of the academic department, and in his second year, he was appointed as department head within the BEM structure. Besides being active in BEM, Rajib was also active in theater, participating in several theater performances at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM).

In his first year, he had the opportunity to become a scriptwriter and director. Then, in the following year, he became more diligent as a scriptwriter. He also participated in writing competitions on campus several times. Rajib also started engaging in various off-campus activities, such as joining the Pandora theater group. He has remained involved with that theater group until now.

When he received the scholarship from INSIGHT and YIIM, Rajib was selected to participate in a leadership camp program facilitated by the Indonesian Inspiration Building Foundation and PT. Insight Investments Management. Furthermore, in 2019, he also served as a YIIM volunteer in a social service event in Baduy. Not stopping there, Rajib then got the opportunity to become a volunteer at YIIM and eventually in 2020 was appointed as a staff member responsible for documentation and digital campaigns on YIIM’s social media. Several of Rajib’s works have contributed significant color to the digital publications he created, some of which can be accessed via [links].

During his time working at YIIM, he was very diligent in creating various content to promote work programs and achievements from YIIM’s various activities with partners, notably with PT. Insight Investments Management as the main partner.

The Journey Towards Dreams

Thanks to the scholarship support from YIIM and Insight, Rajib completed his education in 4 years with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.49, with a thesis titled:

“The process of identity formation in the Yu-Gi-Oh trading card game community ‘Osiris Duelist’.”

After graduating, he wanted to realize his childhood dreams and aspirations. Since elementary school, Rajib had aspired to become a writer and researcher. It all started when he was a child, his parents gave him letter puzzles. These puzzles were used by his parents to teach him to read. From that moment, Rajib began to develop a love for reading. His father often brought books from the UI library, such as discovery books. Previously, his father had wanted to become a journalist but failed. This prompted his father to teach Rajib to read from an early age.

“When I was a kid, I used to go out with friends and was asked to write a report upon returning. The report was in narrative form, more like a story. From that point, I began to enjoy writing.”

In 2019, during his final semester, Rajib attempted an internship at an educational startup company in the digital marketing department. However, just one month into the internship, Rajib was hired as a permanent employee. He eventually worked at that company but only for 8 months because he wanted to become a writer.

After resigning, he received several offers to write scripts for television and to perform in theater. He earned income from these activities. To gain more experience and income, Rajib also briefly worked part-time at a game café and at a creative agency called Peka.

At the beginning of 2022, he decided to seek new experiences and resigned from his position as a YIIM staff member. Subsequently, he received an offer to become the head of scriptwriting at Zenius Education, a position he holds until the time of this writing. This opportunity made him even happier and more enthusiastic, as this was the job he had desired since childhood. Finally, Rajib began his career as a head scriptwriter. Currently, he is also working on a research project.

However, even though he is no longer with YIIM, Rajib continues to assist YIIM by teaching entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management classes, one of which was conducted alongside the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), BAPAS Class 1 Malang, and YIIM to provide entrepreneurship training to Bapas clients who are former convicts of terrorism crimes. The training video can be viewed [here].

Rajib’s dreams have finally come true with the various experiences he has gone through. In the future, he wants to continue working as a scriptwriter, as that is the dream he has held since childhood.

Salam Inspirasi!