Ramdani

At the age of 17, Ramdani worked with his father at the weekend to support his family and fund his education. Despite coming from a farming background, he was determined to give back to his community by improving access to quality education and pursuing a master's degree in management in the USA. His dedication paid off when he received a scholarship from the Indonesian government to study at Lambung Mangkurat University, where he excelled academically and in extracurricular activities, including English debating competitions, where he earned several awards. 

Driven by an aspiration to provide educational opportunities, Ramdani founded Ucoolwecool in 2021. This organization offers free mentoring and training in various skills, such as leadership, English, public speaking, and sustainability. With 300 volunteers, Ucoolwecool has empowered three provinces in Indonesia, impacting 1,500 active members. Ramdani's efforts were recognized with the Diana Award for humanitarian and social impact in 2023. The organization has since expanded its reach to Asia, involving 100 ongoing projects aimed at youth empowerment. 

Academically, Ramdani maintained a high Cumulative Grade Point Average (IPK) of 3.66 out of 4 while active in various competitions and courses. He achieved an A- on a research project analysing factors influencing purchasing decisions on the Tokopedia platform. His consistent academic excellence earned him a full scholarship, covering his tuition fees for four years. Ramdani also excelled in extracurricular activities, representing his university in debates and seminars on investment, the importance of English language, and financial freedom for Generation Z. He was awarded the Peach FIRST mini-grant for promoting digital literacy among underprivileged children and selected for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Plus program. 

Ramdani has also made a significant impact on his peers through mentorship. As a national mentor for Student Catalyst, he provides guidance to university students across Indonesia. His Ucoolwecool community supports mental health awareness through webinars and peer-to-peer mentoring sessions. He also launched the Ucooler Academy program, focusing on numeracy and literacy for underprivileged students in rural areas, achieving a 98% participation rate. 

Living in a rural area presented challenges, such as limited internet connectivity and financial hardships, especially after his mother suffered a stroke. To support his family, Ramdani worked as a private teacher. Despite all the personal obstacles he has faced, he has remained firmly committed to education and his inclusive approach welcomes individuals with disabilities, emphasizing equality and diversity. 

On the creative front, Ramdani launched a podcast and newsletter to inspire and empower youth globally. Called "A Man & His Dandelions", it shares insights on managing emotions, building confidence, and achieving goals, reaching listeners in 12 countries. He also developed a virtual reality platform, "Sasirangan," for language learning, impacting 1,650 individuals in three months. Further evidence of how he values collaboration for global impact came when he initiated the Ucooler Self-Impact Project, involving youth from various countries, his participation in sustainable business courses between Indonesia and Finland and joined a youth leadership program, earning the Best Delegate award. Taking part in Model United Nations conferences and the Peace First Social Impact Project highlights his dedication to driving positive change. Ramdani continues to engage in international programs, including the 360 Awareness Program in 2024, to further enhance his skills and contribute to global initiatives.