Two Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) students, Razif Raihan Rasyid from the UGM Faculty of Animal Science (Animal Science UGM) and Elvira Sundari from the UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UGM), claimed first place in the 2025 Yogyakarta Language Ambassador Competition held at Yogyakarta City Hall on Friday, May 23, 2025.
With this, they are set to represent the Yogyakarta Special Region in the upcoming national-level competition.
Rasyid explained that the Yogyakarta Language Ambassador Competition featured 20 finalists divided into 10 pairs.
All participants were accomplished young individuals with a strong commitment to the preservation and development of languages, particularly Indonesian, regional languages, and foreign languages.
“The selection process and the competition itself were very rigorous. Participants were evaluated based on language proficiency, linguistic knowledge, and their role in language development in their respective communities,” he said at Animal Science UGM on Monday, Jun. 2, 2025.
Rasyid shared that he and Sundari were recognized by the judges as a standout pair.
The duo demonstrated strong synergy, excellent command of the subject matter, and a shared vision of promoting language as a unifying tool in Indonesia’s culturally diverse society.
Following this victory, Rasyid stated that he and Sundari are now preparing to represent the Yogyakarta Special Region at the 2025 National Language Ambassador Competition, where they will meet top contenders from across Indonesia.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate and excel in the competition.
“This event is more than just a competition; it serves as an educational platform that encourages us, the younger generation, to uphold the values of language in our daily lives,” he explained.
The Language Ambassador program is an annual initiative by the Language Development and Fostering Agency under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
It serves as both an appreciation and a developmental platform for youth in the field of language.
This achievement not only brings pride to UGM but also inspires other young people to take an active role in preserving language as a core part of the national identity.
Reporter: Animal Science UGM/Satria
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna