UNS – Joost Groothuijse, an inbound internship student at the Urban Rural Design and Conservation Laboratory (URDC Labo), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, has made an outstanding academic achievement. He was awarded the title of Best Presenter at the International Conference on Business, Accounting, Supply Chain, and Logistics (ICBASL) 2025, recognizing his exceptional presentation and research performance. This achievement highlights the success of the UNS internship program in fostering international collaboration and academic excellence.
ICBASL 2025 by LPPM UNS
The International Conference on Business, Accounting, Supply Chain, and Logistics (ICBASL) is an annual international forum organized by the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Indonesia. The ICBASL 2025 is a premier event that gathers scholars, practitioners, industry leaders, and policymakers worldwide to discuss innovative strategies in business, accounting, finance, and supply chain management. This year’s conference emphasizes advancing these fields in the era of sustainability and global transformation.
Carrying the theme “Smart and Resilient Supply Chain and Finance for Sustainable Growth,” ICBASL 2025 highlights the role of digital transformation, sustainable practices, and financial resilience in shaping future business landscapes. The conference features keynote speeches, panel discussions, paper presentations, and networking sessions that foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. It also offers opportunities for participants to publish in reputable journals and engage in international research partnerships supporting sustainable and inclusive business ecosystems.
Joost’s Journey toward His Achievement
Joost’s journey toward this achievement began when he arrived in Solo at the end of August this year. He is a Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences student, pursuing an internship at UNS. Coming from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Joost embarked on this journey as part of his university’s international internship network.
Joost explained that his university offers a wide range of international internship opportunities, and Indonesia had long been on his list of places to visit. “At the end of last year, my university offered several options for international internships through its global network. I’ve always wanted to visit Indonesia, and since Water Management students from my program have been coming here (UNS) for about eight years, it felt like a safe and familiar choice with mentors who already understand our background. Also, I think Solo is a good destination to experience the real Java, a smaller and more authentic city compared to larger, more touristic cities like Jakarta or Yogyakarta,” Joost said to uns.ac.id on Friday (24/10/2025).)
Furthermore, Joost explained that his participation in ICBASL 2025 was suggested by his mentor, who encouraged him to gain early experience in academic presentation. She advised that presenting at such a conference would be valuable preparation for writing scientific papers in the future, especially if he plans to pursue a master’s degree or a PhD. Through this opportunity, Joost was able to learn how academic conferences operate and observe how other researchers deliver their presentations. He viewed the experience as essential in developing his confidence and professional skills. Interestingly, Joost and his fellow interns were the only student participants among the many scientists attending the event.
Joost shared that becoming the Best Presenter was a rewarding experience that reflected his practical presentation skills. He believed his success was mainly due to the strong visual elements he incorporated into his slides, which made his presentation more engaging and easier to understand. Unlike many other participants who relied heavily on text, Joost used images and visual explanations to communicate his ideas clearly. This approach and his confident oral delivery helped him stand out and earn the Best Presenter title.
Moreover, Joost explained that he presented a paper entitled “Community-Based Assessment of Canal Water Quality in Gentungan Village: Identifying Pollution Sources and Improving Canal Water Quality”. In his presentation, he analyzed the causes of water pollution in the area and proposed strategies to improve canal water quality. His research aimed to raise awareness of the importance of effective water management in local communities. “Water management is a major field in the Netherlands, yet it remains underdeveloped in many other countries. So, I think sharing the knowledge with local communities is essential,” he emphasized.
Joost conducted his research in Gentungan Village, focusing on environmental and social aspects of water management. He divided his study into two main parts: the physical analysis of the area’s water flow and the behavioral research of the residents. Through this approach, he aimed to understand how water moves through the village and how human activities affect its quality.
Joost is currently working to complete his research and aims to finish it as soon as possible. “So, I first needed to understand the community’s behavior and daily practices related to water use and waste disposal. After that, I planned to create awareness posters showing how these actions impact the river system. My goal is to give something back to the community by promoting awareness and encouraging better environmental practices,” he concluded.
Humas UNS
