By Ramdani, Founder of Ucoolwecool

Having experienced life in a remote area and enduring bullying during his school years, Ramdani began working as a teenager at a palm oil plantation and occasionally served as a cafeteria attendant. Now, he believes that life is a gift that enables us to surpass limitations and create an impact. He is dedicated to turning possibilities into opportunities for change.

Ramdani is a youth empowerment enthusiast from Indonesia. His passion for youth and community has been deeply rooted since his early years, stemming from personal experiences. He firmly believes that as young people, we possess the power to empower others and ignite positive change in various ways. For over five years, Ramdani has been involved in both national and international projects aimed at fostering youth development. Since 2023, Ramdani has also served as a Global Youth Ambassador for Theirworld, advocating for quality education.

Driven by his passion for education and youth empowerment, he founded a community called Ucoolwecool in 2021. Ucoolwecool has made a significant impact on many young people and has been featured on various platforms. Ramdani and his team’s impactful work has garnered prestigious accolades, including the 2023 Diana Award for humanitarian and social impact work, established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.

What has motivated Ramdani thus far is the idea of being free to pursue whatever he desires. He believes that we are often limited by our own minds, which prevents us from taking action and achieving our goals. However, by focusing on our goals rather than our limitations, we can surpass these mental barriers. This mindset has enabled Ramdani to passionately pursue what he loves.

In 2024, out of over 11,000 applications and nominations from 176 countries, Ramdani was selected as one of the Top 50 Finalists for the Global Student Prize. This recognition highlights a group of passionate young people who are doing their part to better every corner of our world.

The Global Student Prize, founded in collaboration with the Varkey Foundation, celebrates inspiring students worldwide who are actively reshaping our world for the better. It is assessed based on academic achievements, impact on peers, making a difference in the community and beyond, overcoming the odds to achieve, demonstrating creativity and innovation, and operating as global citizens.