Izzatur Rahman Pradiatma, a third-semester student of FDI, won first place in a national essay competition organized by the Student Executive Council (DEMA) of UIN Jakarta. The competition was held to commemorate National Santri Day 2021. The registration and submission of essays were open from October 23 to November 21, 2021, with the theme "Intensifying the Role of Santri in the Digital Disruptive Era." The winners were announced on December 22, 2021. Eza, as he is commonly called, chose the topic "The Role of Santri in Facing the Water Crisis." "For me, the water issue is a serious problem, and here, the followers of Prophet Muhammad SAW, especially the educated and religious santri, should be aware," Eza told the FDI journalism team (Wednesday, December 22, 2021). In this national essay competition, Eza expressed his gratitude and surprise at winning first place. He also explained that his motivation to participate in this competition was because the theme offered by the organizers was very interesting, so he decided to join. Secondly, he hoped that his writing could motivate the public, especially santri, to get involved in addressing the water crisis, which should not be underestimated. Behind his success, Eza is known for his consistency in reading. His love for reading began in elementary school with books about the stories of the prophets and Islamic history. He also shared that his reading hobby started in third grade when he read an Islamic atlas book. The student from Bekasi stated that if someone likes to read, Insya Allah, they will have a broad knowledge, as knowledge should be balanced with a wide perspective. In addition to reading books, Eza also enjoys reading articles, posts from thinkers, and prominent figures on platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and Instagram. He believes that such access sharpens one’s critical thinking. "The key is to read more. If you have the means, set aside some money to buy books. Reading is important because it can broaden your knowledge. Whether you understand it or not, that's secondary. And don’t forget to write! It’s difficult, I know, writing is tough, but it’s very important because knowledge can be remembered through memorization and writing," he advised at the end of the interview. (FDI Journalism Team: Afaf Luthfiah Azra).