UNS — Excelling and active in student association are two main objectives many university students pursue in their study. To reach many achievements and participate in associations are two ways of implementing one’s knowledge during university days. Mahasiswa berprestasi (Mawapres)(Excellent Students) is a title granted to appreciate university best students. To discuss the award with students, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta invited Greget Kalla Buana to a discussion held on Monday (3/4/2021) through Zoom Cloud Meeting. With the FEB UNS alumnus, the participant was brought to understand deeper the dynamic and essence of Mawapres.
For Greget, Mawapres has positive and negative sides. Mawapres leads to a strong competitive spirit in students to build high standard on what is considered excellent students. However, the ‘excellence’ is debatable. In a narrow sense, most students believe Mawapres only from its academic aspects of GPA, certificates, and academic achievements. At the same time, currently, GPA is no longer a benchmark for Mawapres, as mentioned by Sutanto.
Greget added that Mawapres’ impact on the surrounding should take precedence as it motivates students to believe in their ability to accomplish something in their field. “For example, students who are not too bright in their academic field, but have better ability to affect (people), for example as an influencer, their impact will be more observable,” Greget said.
Based on his experience, Greget shared that Mawapres is a beginning to filter students as role models. For the elected students, their journey starts after the election. The public will view them based on their influence on their surrounding. He admitted that he always want to be someone who excels, fueled by his strong will and motivation. He also reminded that Mawapres should not be a boomerang and make themselves exclusive from others. Mawapres should be inclusive and shared information with others. “Even though they are excelling, but how they deliver it to inspire people and make it seems achievable,” Greget explained.
In the discussion, Greget also shared his admiration for UNS that teaches noble values, benefits the community, and maintains the culture that fades. He also emphasized the difference between university students at his university days and current university students. He thinks students should adopt the new dynamics and trends to discuss contemporary issues such as the SDGs, environment, gender equality, and poverty in student associations at the university. This way, students can apply their knowledge on the existing community issues, and Mawapres selection will found more students with critical thinking regarding the current issues.
He added that student’s enthusiasm and interest in the Mawapres election is a vital component in the competition that requires further assessment. “Maybe we need to re-branding what is Mapres. So students are not forced to participate,” he suggested. Humas UNS
Reporter: Rangga Pangestu Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti