UGM Students team managed to become the main champion at the Geomapping International Competition organized by the Department of Geological Engineering UGM, collaborating with the Student Association of Geological Engineering UGM (HMTG FT-UGM) from October 1 to 7, 2016. The competition was joined by 14 teams from various universities in Southeast Asia, such as the Bandung Institute of Technology, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Chiang Mai University, and the University of Trisakti.
UGM contingent represented by Ahmad Faizal Amin, Eka Dhamayanti, and Ekky Reno Priyambodo won the gold medal after defeating 14 other participating teams. The team leader, Ekky Reno Priyambodo, explained this geological mapping competition went tightly because all the teams have to follow all the stages in the form of field data collection, data processing and presentation of the results of the mapping. Each team is required to make careful and meticulous observation in limited time. "In this competition we observed the slightest thing in the field and made sure that the data we got on the field can be accounted for," said Ekky to the reporters on Thursday (20/10).
He added that the experience of field mapping that is often done in college field is very helpful. However, the physical and mental conditions is decisive in collecting data in the field. "The terrain we face was very heavy, going up and down hills, crossing rivers, and we must go on foot," he said.
Nevertheless, preparations made by the team before the competition is worth it. As is known, in this competition, each participant was given three days to collect data, followed by data processing and presentation of the results of extensive mapping study of 2 km x 2 km. During the competition, participants were quarantined so as not to bring electronic device. "Mapping of field lasted for 3 days. The evening was scheduled for data processing at the base camp that had been prepared for each team. On the fourth day, participants processed the data and prepared the posters, presentations, and narration, we are grateful to our team was announced as the winner," said Eka Damayanti, one of the team members. (UGM / Gusti Grehenson)