UNS – Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta has extended its appreciation to the Bengawan Unmanned Vehicle (BUV) Team. The team has brought pride to the university. The team achieved remarkable success at two prestigious international competitions. First was the 2025 International Roboboat Competition in Florida, United States. Then it was the 2025 Singapore Amazing Flying Machine Competition (SAFMC) in Singapore.
UNS Celebrates Students’ Global Success
To recognize these accomplishments, UNS organized an Appreciation Day on Tuesday (29/4/2025) at the courtyard of the dr. Prakosa Building. The event served as a formal gesture of gratitude from the university to the students. They represented UNS on the global stage. During the ceremony, the Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Hartono, dr., M.Si., personally handed over awards to the BUV team members.
“On behalf of Universitas Sebelas Maret, I offer my heartfelt congratulations and deep pride for this outstanding achievement,” Prof. Hartono said. “Your success not only uplifts the name of the Bengawan Team. It also strengthens the UNS’s global reputation in science, technology, and engineering. You have proven that Indonesian youth, especially from UNS, have what it takes to compete and innovate on international stage.”
In addition, Prof. Hartono expressed his sincere appreciation to the team’s mentors, academic supervisors, and supporters. They played a crucial role behind the scenes. According to him, the success story of the BUV Team highlights the power of collaboration. It showcases the synergy between student enthusiasm and dedicated mentorship.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Eng. Syamsul Hadi, S.T., M.T., supervisor of the BUV Team, emphasized the team’s persistence and determination. “These students prepared with strong passion and focus. Despite facing budget constraints and technical challenges, they managed to deliver excellent results in both competitions. Their performance is truly inspiring and commendable,” he said.
Building Future Innovators Through Research and Support
Prof. Syamsul revealed that UNS is currently working on establishing a research and innovation center. This center will serve as a hub for student research, startup incubation, and product development. It will especially support high-performing teams like Bengawan UV.
“We envision a future where students can further develop their entrepreneurial spirit through structured support,” he explained. “The research center will enable students to commercialize their ideas and turn them into tangible solutions. It will also help them become future-ready professionals.”
Ahmad Al Faruq, General Manager of the BUV Team, also shared his reflections during the event. “I speak on behalf of my teammates from Bengawan UV—a team that consists of students from diverse study programs. We build our unity on innovation, hard work, and trust. Roboboat gave us victory after a long and challenging process. Although we did not meet all our goals at SAFMC, the experience was equally meaningful and educational.”
He stressed that both achievements and setbacks have shaped the team’s mindset. “We have grown from the journey—technically and personally. The obstacles we faced, including time pressure and limited resources, only made us stronger. We are committed to continual progress and to bringing greater pride to UNS,” he concluded.
At the International Roboboat Competition, the Bengawan UV Team earned second place in the Autonomy Challenge category. They outperformed several leading institutions, such as the University of Michigan, Cornell University, and Florida Atlantic University. They also surpassed AGH University of Krakow and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
To further motivate high-achieving students, UNS provides tangible rewards. These include symbolic awards, tuition fee reductions, and cash prizes, as stipulated in the university’s official decree. These incentives aim to encourage innovation and help build a culture of excellence.
Through this event, UNS reaffirmed its dedication to supporting student innovation and international achievement. Moreover, the university’s efforts align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education. It ensures access to inclusive, equitable, and empowering learning opportunities for all students.
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