In 2023, the students of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) showcased their prowess by clinching an impressive total of 1,103 medals across diverse international, regional, and national competitions.
UGM students seized 113 medals on the global stage, while on the regional front, they secured 64 medals. Remarkably, they triumphed nationally with a whopping 906 medals.
UGM Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Sindung Tjahyadi, announced these achievements during the competition evaluation on Tuesday, December 12, at Grha Sabha Pramana.
The UGM contingent team recently won the overall champion of the National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS) held on November 26-30 at Padjadjaran University, Sumedang.
This triumph added to their overall victories at the Indonesian Flying Robot Contest at ITERA, Lampung, September 22-27, the overall champion of the Indonesian Student Debate Competition at Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University, Banten, on September 11-18, and the overall champion of the Indonesian Electric Car Competition on November 6-8, 2023, at Bandung State Polytechnic.
Dr. Tjahyadi acknowledged the relentless effort of the student teams, attributing their success to effective collaboration, hard work, and the guidance provided by dedicated lecturers.
“I express my high appreciation to the supervising lecturers and the teams who have worked hard,” Dr. Tjahyadi said.
Zhafira Mafaz, a Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health student and gold medalist in the Presentation category at the 2023 PIMNAS, recounted the year-long preparation undertaken by her and her colleagues from the Faculties of Biology and Pharmacy.
Their research on the potential therapeutic benefits of binahong leaves for acute kidney injury garnered substantial support from their supervising lecturers, who sacrificed holidays to aid in completing their research.
“We were thrilled hearing the announcement. The medal is not the goal, though; it’s the process of pouring effort into presenting our best work that matters,” Mafaz said.
The UGM Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, expressed deep appreciation for the achievements, recognizing that the journey to victory encompasses not only technical and skill challenges but also mental resilience.
“Some had to compete during class exams, and others experienced pressure. But, winning is the modality of knowledge and experience for their next endeavor,” he said.
“We maintain our research tradition, transcending classroom learning to embrace collaboration, emotional intelligence, ethical conduct, and unwavering enthusiasm.”
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Donnie Tristan