Representing Yogyakarta, UNU Jogja Management Student Agung Putra Darmara Wins 2nd Honorable Mention at 2026 Indonesian Duta Genre

Yogyakarta, Indonesia - Agung Putra Darmara, a Management Study Program student at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), has won 2nd Honorable Mention in the Putra Duta Genre Indonesia category at the 2026 National Duta and Genre Youth Creativity Jamboree (ADUJAKNAS 2026).

In the competition, Agung presented an integrated innovation and advocacy program called SERAYA (Sehatkan Rasa, Wujudkan Remaja Berdaya), strengthened by his track record of hands-on work in the field. He competed alongside delegations from 34 provinces, comprising 68 finalists, with each province represented by its top male and female Duta Genre.

“I represented Yogyakarta alongside Shufia Agnia, the 2026 Yogyakarta Female Duta Genre. We also competed together with the Yogyakarta Genre Forum contingent in the series of Youth Creativity Jamboree activities,” he said on Friday, September 25.

SERAYA: Agung’s Initiative to Help Adolescents Manage Their Emotions 

SERAYA was developed to prepare adolescents for adulthood and family life by strengthening emotional maturity, healthy communication, supportive relationships, and positive habits.

According to Agung, preparation for family life should not begin only shortly before marriage, but should be developed during adolescence, when the foundations of mindset, emotions, and character are being formed. The SERAYA program follows four stages: Know Yourself, Manage Your Emotions, Build Habits, and Prepare for the Future.

SERAYA is implemented through three innovation pillars. First, Rumah Rasa, an immersive educational exhibition in the form of a house installation that provides a safe space for adolescents to understand themselves, manage emotions, engage in dialogue, and reflect on the kind of home they hope to build in the future.

Rumah Rasa features a living room, dining table, peer counseling area, reflection booth, and art-expression facilities. The program also serves as a space for emotional recovery, including for young people living away from their hometowns in Yogyakarta. This pillar has reached 524 adolescents.

Second, Lembar Rasa, a 30-day challenge program featuring a habit tracker and reflective journal designed to develop daily emotional regulation, self-reflection, positive habits, and healthy communication. The program has been participated in by 132 adolescents.

Third, Kelas Rasa, a series of educational activities and interactive discussions focusing on emotional health, healthy relationships, open communication, and readiness for family life. The program is implemented flexibly in schools, universities, communities, public spaces, and even local angkringan food stalls. Kelas Rasa has provided education to 7,025 adolescents.

“With these three pillars, the total number of direct beneficiaries of the SERAYA program has reached 7,681 adolescents,” he said.

Agung’s Educational Track Record Reaches More Than 10,000 Adolescents 

Beyond SERAYA, Agung’s work as a public speaker and field facilitator has further strengthened his track record as a Duta Genre.

Agung has served as a speaker, trainer, and youth facilitator in more than 70 forums and activities involving youth organizations, schools, universities, and communities.

He has also directly provided educational programs for thousands of students at various institutions, including SMPN 2 Kalasan, SMAN 1 Wonosari, MAN 1 Yogyakarta, MTsN 5 Sleman, MAN 3 Sleman, SMPII Al Abidin, SMA Kalasan, SLB N 1 Bantul, as well as marginalized communities.

The topics he has delivered cover a broad range of adolescent issues, including youth leadership, peer education and counseling, stunting prevention and adolescent nutrition, the Maturation of Marriage Age (PUP), reproductive health, life skills, mental health, and anti-bullying campaigns.

Agung has also mastered and implemented the official Genre curriculum, including the Tentang Kita module with the Berani, Beraksi, and Berkolaborasi segments, the Olahrasa module, and various youth group dynamics modules.

In addition, he has led coaching and revitalization efforts for 10 PIK-R/PIK-M groups in Yogyakarta, consisting of five revitalized PIK-R groups and five PIK-R/M groups receiving coaching in collaboration with the Yogyakarta Provincial Office of Population Control, Family Planning, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (Dinas P3AP2KB).

Overall, when including various educational activities beyond the three SERAYA pillars, Agung’s accumulated field-based educational outreach has reached more than 10,000 adolescents.

From Community Service in Yogyakarta to the National Stage 

Agung’s journey to the national stage began in the Special Region of Yogyakarta after he was selected as the 2025 Yogyakarta Duta Genre. During his preparation for the national competition, he completed a year of community service and carried out various programs in Yogyakarta.

During this period, Agung implemented the SERAYA initiative in the community. He also mobilized Pusat Informasi dan Konseling Remaja (PIK-R) groups and organized various other educational activities.

“That track record became part of the assessment and verification process for being selected to represent Yogyakarta at the national level in ADUJAKNAS 2026,” he said.

During the national selection held on September 21–22, 2026, Agung advanced to the grand final after passing the TOP 10 round from among 68 finalists and subsequently advancing to the TOP 5 round.

At this stage, Agung and four other finalists faced a Question and Answer (Q&A) session before an honorary judging panel. The session assessed critical thinking, maturity in responding to issues, and the ability to communicate spontaneously on stage.

“Through this decisive session, alhamdulillah, I successfully won 2nd Honorable Mention in the 2026 Putra Duta Genre Indonesia category,” he said.

Agung said that during the selection process, he initially felt anxious when he saw delegations from across Indonesia, from Sabang to Merauke, bringing impressive portfolios and achievements. However, he later shifted his perspective on the competition and viewed it as an opportunity to learn and exchange ideas.

“I briefly wondered whether the ideas and outreach I brought from the region would be competitive enough on such a large stage. However, when I shifted my focus from comparing myself with others to sincerely seeking to create meaningful impact through the SERAYA initiative, the anxiety turned into confidence and an openness to learn together with fellow delegates from across Indonesia,” he said.

Expertise as a Foundation for Youth Advocacy 

Experience as a Peer Counselor and Youth Facilitator has become one of Agung’s main foundations in carrying out youth advocacy. The peer-to-peer approach allows sensitive issues surrounding family planning and emotional health to be communicated in a warm and empathetic manner without sounding preachy.

These skills are further strengthened by his stage communication abilities, including public speaking and storytelling, as well as operational management competencies that he has developed through the Management Study Program at UNU Jogja.

These skills have helped him develop measurable advocacy timelines, conduct critical root-cause analysis, and present clear arguments during judging sessions.

Campus Support Behind Agung’s Achievement 

In developing his capacity and implementing various activities, Agung has also received support from the university environment. His studies in the Management Study Program have provided practical academic knowledge, ranging from operations management and project management to business communication.

He applies this knowledge to his advocacy activities by developing programs based on measurable targets, structured timelines, and thorough feasibility analyses rather than simply presenting ideas.

Beyond academic activities, various student forums and campus committees have also contributed to developing Agung’s leadership skills and flexibility when engaging with the public.

“The moral and administrative support from the Management Study Program, the Faculty of Economics, as well as the blessing and prayers from the Rector before my departure became a very valuable source of moral strength,” he said.

Reporter: Latifah