UNS – A team of students from the Faculty of Engineering (FT) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta has achieved national recognition. They were Muhammad Yazid Ar-Rasyid (Chemical Engineering) and Sarah Amelia Azzahra (Industrial Engineering). They won the Runner-Up title in the National Essay Competition at Cipta Nusantara Fest. The competition took place on April 26, 2025, at Universitas Riau.
The competition drew more than 400 teams from universities across Indonesia. After a rigorous selection process, Yazid and Sarah advanced to the finals, competing with eight other top-ranked teams. Their dedication and creativity helped them secure second place.
Innovative Essay on Cocoa Waste Technology
The FT UNS team presented an essay titled Natural Sunscreen Development Based on Cocoa Waste with Smart Jar Glass Technology. Their innovation focused on creating environmentally friendly sunscreen from processed cocoa waste.
This creative concept offers dual benefits. Environmentally, it promotes sustainable waste management. Technologically, it introduces an innovative method using Smart Jar Glass to enhance the product’s functionality. The project stands as a unique contribution to both health and environmental fields.
Support and Inspiration from FT UNS
Yazid first discovered the competition through Instagram and felt instantly motivated to join. “The process was both challenging and exciting. From the preliminary round to the finals, we gained valuable insights, especially in research and presentation skills,” Yazid shared, as quoted from ft.uns.ac.id on Friday (2/5/2025).
He also highlighted the strong support received from FT UNS. Academic advisors and faculty leaders encouraged the team throughout the process. “We received great encouragement from our lecturers, which helped us reach this achievement,” he added.
Yazid and Sarah hope their success will inspire fellow students to explore new opportunities and boldly take initiative. “Don’t be afraid to start—by starting, you’re already opening a path toward success,” Yazid concluded.
This accomplishment proves once again that FT UNS students continue to excel. They demonstrate not only strong academic abilities but also creativity and competitiveness on a national scale. Furthermore, their achievement supports the goals of Quality Education (SDG 4) and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9). It reinforces UNS’s commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
Humas UNS
