UNS — National achievement and competence were again accomplished by Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta students in the National Youth Economic Debate Competition (Athection). Three UNS students, Rizal Galih Pradana (Psychology Program), Pradana Ricardo (Indonesian Language and Literature Program), and Akhmad Mukhibun (Indonesian Language and Literature Program), won the 1st prize in the competition held by Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Tulungagung in collaboration with Badan Amil Zakat Nasional (BAZNAS) (the national zakat institute).
The debating competition that participated by nine universities UNS, Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa), Universitas Tanjungpura (Untan), Universitas Indonesia (UI), Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi (STIE) Bojonegoro, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Universitas Andalas (Unand), and UIN Mataram, started the elimination process through essay assessment. Participants who passed the essay assessment process were then asked to present their essay in the elimination round to choose the Best Eight that will compete in the quarter-final, semifinal, and grand final.
“Our essay discussed the centralized zakat management to reduce poverty in a sustainable way. In the quarter-final we competed with STIE Bojonegoro B and won 3-0. In the semifinal, we won over Universitas Tanjungpura with a 3-0 score,” Rizal said on Friday (3/12/2021).
In the grand final, Rizal and Team competed with Unesa as contra team on the motion of the role of Zakat, Infak, Sedekah, and Wakaf (ZISWAF) in recovering people’s economy, and won with a 3-0 score.
“We felt delighted and did not expect because we don’t have a basic education in economy and the material was Ziswaf. But through learning and serious efforts, Alhamdulillah, we could win. Moreover, winning in the final with 3-0 with juries who are mostly practitioners that understand the details in the economy and Ziswaf implementation in Indonesia,” the Psychology student stated.
Rizal hoped that he could continue improving his knowledge and debating ability as a basis in their future career and study.
“Hopefully, this (achievement) could become a source of spirits for everyone that we could learn as much as possible and not limited by our focus study. In the future, hopefully, there will be more quality debaters from UNS and could bring pride for UNS almamater,” Rizal concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Prasetya Aji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti