UNS – Students from the International Relations Program at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, along with their team, achieved remarkable success by winning four awards at the Global Youth Innovation Summit (GYIS) 2024. Izzatunisa Anandari Santosa, representing UNS as a delegate, and her team were honored at the event held in Singapore and Malaysia from April 22 to 25, 2024.
Izzatunisa Anandari Santosa, commonly known as Izza, shared that GYIS is a program aimed at encouraging young people to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through cultural and educational exchange while facilitating delegates to compete in the SDGs Project Presentation. Delegates were grouped to create and develop projects addressing specific SDGs.
Izza and her team focused on SDGs number 4 and 10, quality education and reducing inequalities, by addressing the high dropout rates in West Sulawesi caused by economic hardships and the high cost of education.
After conducting an online survey in Polewali Mandar (the district with the highest dropout rates in West Sulawesi) and interviewing a team member from West Sulawesi, they found widespread complaints about expensive education costs, difficult access to information, gender discrimination, and other issues. These findings highlighted the high demand for educational scholarships. In response, Izza and her team decided to establish a Non-Profit Organization (NPO) called Youth Inclusive Education Corner (YIECO).
“YIECO’s main program is scholarship mentoring, aimed at helping students, gap year individuals, and those wishing to continue their education apply for scholarships with the assistance of experienced mentors,” Izza explained on Friday (17/5/2024).
Izza added that YIECO addresses the high education costs and difficult access to scholarship information reported by students through their survey, serving as a bridge to help students utilize available scholarships to support their education. YIECO plans to collaborate with local schools to facilitate mentoring and broaden its impact.
“To support program funding, YIECO will also collaborate with other educational entities,” she added.
Izza and her team successfully presented and introduced the YIECO project at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) on April 23, 2024, to judges, delegates, and other attendees. Their outstanding performance and teamwork led them to win the Best Team award. Additionally, they secured second place in the Best SDGs Project Video category, highlighting the high dropout rates in West Sulawesi and introducing YIECO. Izza also achieved individual honors, winning first place as Best Team Leader for her leadership qualities and abilities and second place as Best Delegate for her active participation, performance, and contributions throughout the program. Humas UNS