We are pleased to announce that our nuclear engineering students, Deren Louis, Theo Aden Kusuma, and Aulia Dina Wulandani, have secured first-place winners at the 10th International Conference on High-Temperature Reactor Technology HTR 2021 – Youth Competition.
The international competition targets participants aged 18-30 years from IAEA countries to create multimedia innovations capable of introducing reactor technology to a greater audience. The organizing team consists of people from the Indonesian Nuclear Society (HIMNI), National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN), and Universitas Gadjah Mada. They also collaborate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and National Nuclear Youth Community (KOMMUN).
Before being announced as winners, participants must pass the abstract selection and qualify for the final consisting of the top three teams. The judges then will select the best team according to their performance in the final presentation and others. Deren Louis confirmed that he and his team created a mobile game called Reactor Master for this competition. Through this innovation, they intended to combat the stigma against nuclear technology.
“It is among the challenges in the development of nuclear technology in Indonesia. Hence it motivates us to create this game,” he said on Wednesday (9/6).
According to Deren, Reactor Master has several exciting features. The first is an infographic ticker bar where users can obtain information about High-Temperature Reactor (HTR). Other features are a quiz on HTR and a mini-game that enables users to learn about the reactor structure. The game also provides general information about Very High-Temperature Reactor (VHTR) along with its products, ranging from radiopharmaceuticals, irradiators, hydrogen production to water desalination. He added that users would find this game easy to play aside from the advantages of learning nuclear technology in a fun way.
“Our main target is students. They have a big influence on the future of nuclear technology. They are agents of change who can turn stigma into acceptance,” he explained.
Deren expressed his appreciation for his team. He said that the teamwork they showed during the competition made everything less difficult. The support from the surroundings was also influential in helping his team secured the first position. He informed that the team would like to develop the game with experts to improve quality and educational effectiveness and release it on various platforms later.
“Take the risk, step out of your comfort zone. Keep learning, go beyond the boundaries of disciplines. We believe collaboration is the magic bullet in every job. Also, don’t forget to pray,” said Deren when being asked to give a piece of advice to the younger generation.
Author: Desy