One hundred eighteen universities are set to compete for the overall championship and the coveted Adikarta Kertawidya Trophy at the 37th National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS) 2024, held at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Surabaya, East Java.
UGM’s contingent carries the same mission of chasing victory, sending 54 teams to compete in nine competition fields at PIMNAS.
The opening ceremony, held on Tuesday morning (Oct. 15) at the Airlangga Convention Center (ACC), UNAIR, was quite lively. Each contingent took turns singing their respective chants, with participants occasionally joining in the singing and clapping to the music provided by the host university.
The much-awaited moment came during the parade when two UGM students, Brian Arianto Tanuwidjaja from the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM) and Alda Zahra Zhafira from the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), represented UGM in the parade.
Both wore traditional Central Javanese red attire while carrying the UGM flag.
Cheers erupted from the UGM contingent when Brian and Alda took the stage.
The entire contingent enlivened the opening ceremony by shouting the slogan, “UGM bangkit, UGM bisa, UGM juara!” (UGM rises, UGM can, UGM wins!), a wish and hope that UGM would retain the Adikarta Kertawidya Trophy after winning it last year.
Alda, who participated in the parade, expressed excitement about participating in PIMNAS.
She felt the competitive atmosphere between the university contingents, mainly when each university showcased its unique chants.
“The sense of competition became even more apparent,” she explained.
Alda is a member of the PKM-Entrepreneurship team. Her product is Dalang Board, an educational waste management game for children.
She hopes to win a gold medal in both the poster and presentation categories and for UGM to bring home the Adikarta Kertawidya Trophy again.
“I hope this year we can still keep the Adikarta Kertawidya Trophy in the hands of Gadjah Mada!” she concluded.
Dr. Maria Veronica Irene Herdjiono, Head of the National Achievement Center (Puspresnas), stated that 525 top teams from nine fields have come to UNAIR to compete at PIMNAS.
Professor Mohammad Nasih, Rector of UNAIR, warmly welcomed the thousands of students and faculty advisors present. In his speech, he stated that UNAIR is fully prepared to host PIMNAS and welcome high-achieving students across Indonesia.
“We will do our best to be the most excellent and fair host,” he said.
At the same time, he emphasized that PIMNAS is a platform for students to showcase their ideas and thoughts, and such an academic culture must continue to be nurtured in Indonesia’s education system.
Professor H. Muhammad Adlin Sila, Expert Staff for Institutional and Community Relations of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, echoed similar sentiments. He reminded students to take pride in reaching PIMNAS.
“You should be proud for having formed a solid team and worked hard to reach this point,” he said.
Author: Lazuardi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photo: UGM Directorate of Student Affairs