Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has once again achieved international recognition. This time, the recognition comes from three students of the Arabic Literature Program at the Modern Languages Olympiad 3.0 (MLO 3.0), held by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Shah Alam, Malaysia, on Dec. 18, 2025. The international-scale competition brought together students from various countries to compete in language-based contests.
UGM students won awards in two main Arabic-language categories, namely Poetry Recital Arabic and Champion Orator Arabic. Pandhita Hapsari, an Arabic Literature student from the class of 2023, secured first place in the Poetry Recital Arabic category and also received the Best Script award.
Her fellow student, Muhammad Hayyi’ Rosyada from the 2024 batch, won third place in the same category. Meanwhile, Haris Arfakhsyadz Azka Maula, also from the batch of 2024, earned second place in the Champion Orator Arabic category and received the Best Impromptu Speech award. These achievements demonstrate the students’ consistent ability to showcase their language skills at the international level.
MLO 3.0 is a language competition organized by the Academy of Language Studies at UiTM. The four main languages contested in the event were Malay, English, Arabic, and Mandarin. The competition began with participant registration in October. 30025, followed by the submission of preliminary round videos until November. 6025.
The judging process took place from Nov. 8–15, 2025, before the announcement of preliminary results on Nov. 17, 2025. The final round was held in person on Dec. 17, 2025, followed by the closing ceremony the next day.
Pandhita Hapsari explained that the Poetry Recital category is a competition involving the writing and recitation of multilingual poetry. The event is designed to encourage expression in multiple languages while celebrating cultural diversity and unity.
“Through poetry recitation, participants are invited to demonstrate linguistic sensitivity and aesthetic appreciation of language in a cross-cultural context. This approach positions language not only as a means of communication, but also as a medium for expressing values and identity,” she said on Tuesday (Dec. 30).
Meanwhile, the Champion Orator category is a multilingual speech competition that facilitates the open articulation of ideas. According to the organizers, this category aims to enrich cultural values in public speaking through diverse linguistic traditions. Assessment aspects include language accuracy, the ability to construct arguments, and the spontaneous delivery of those arguments.
For Hapsari, the achievements of Arabic Literature students in this competition reflect their strong academic capacity and competitive linguistic skills at the international level. Participation in international competitions such as MLO 3.0 provides opportunities for cross-cultural interaction and expands students’ academic networks. According to her, the success aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in quality education, reducing inequalities, and strengthening global partnerships.
“This event is not only a platform to showcase abilities, but also a space for sustainable cross-country learning,” she concluded.
Reporter: Candra Solihin
Author: Ika Agustin
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya