UNS – Rohmat Aji Pamungkas, a Mechanical Engineering student at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), has earned national acclaim by winning the BNPT 2024 National Student Journalism Competition. The National Counter Terrorism Agency (BNPT) hosts the competition in collaboration with the Information and Communication Technology Alignment Committee (KPTIK) and the Golden Indonesia Society Forum (FORMAS).
The eight-month competition featured several stages. It began with socialization and participant selection, continued with journalism workshops, and concluded with a final round on January 23, 2025, at the TVRI Operational Support Building (GPO) in Jakarta. Finalists were asked to submit journalistic works that inform and impact their communities.
In his winning article, titled “Surakarta, Chinese, and Indigenous: Tracing the Footsteps of Conflict and the Path to Peace,” Rohmat explored the long history of ethnic tensions in Surakarta. He focused on challenges between the Chinese and indigenous communities. His work examined social, economic, and political factors and stressed the value of multicultural education and cross-cultural dialogue in building harmony.
Appreciation from Faculty
Faculty members celebrated this achievement. Prof. Dr. Ir. Wahyudi Sutopo, S.T., M.Si., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at UNS, expressed pride in Rohmat’s success. He said, “We hope this victory inspires other students to join competitions, sharpen their critical thinking, and expand their knowledge beyond engineering.”
Rohmat reflected on his journey, adding, “I gained new insights into journalism and learned how a well-crafted article can impact society. I also met students from many regions who shared diverse perspectives, which enriched my understanding of national issues.” He shared his thoughts with ft.uns.ac.id on Monday (3/2/2025).
Rohmat encouraged his peers by stating, “Journalism is not just about writing. It is a platform to share the truth and contribute to our nation. I hope more UNS students will take part in such competitions and represent our university on larger stages.”
This win proves that engineering students can excel beyond their field. It shows that creativity, insight, and civic awareness can thrive in any discipline.
HUMAS UNS
