UNU Jogja Pharmacy Student Earns Runner-Up Title at Yogyakarta Cultural Ambassador Competition

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Mawaddah, a 2023 Pharmacy student at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), has been named 4th Runner-Up in the Putri Budaya Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 2026 (Yogyakarta Cultural Ambassador Competition) and received the Best Speech Award during the 2026 Putra Putri Budaya D.I. Yogyakarta selection.

The competition serves as a platform for developing young cultural ambassadors who are committed to preserving Indonesia's cultural heritage while promoting public education through communication, leadership, and community engagement.

To reach the final stage, Mawaddah completed a series of selection processes, including administrative screening, written examinations, interviews, and a two-month leadership camp held from May to June 2026. During the program, finalists participated in intensive training covering Yogyakarta's cultural heritage, traditional batik making, ngewiru (traditional fabric pleating), nyanggul (traditional Javanese hairstyling), public speaking, and various cultural activities designed to deepen their understanding of local traditions.

According to Mawaddah, her achievement was driven not only by her public speaking skills but also by her commitment to understanding and communicating cultural values to the wider community.

"Throughout the selection process, I focused on demonstrating my understanding of cultural values, my public speaking abilities, and my commitment to preserving and promoting Yogyakarta's cultural heritage," she said.

As part of the competition, Mawaddah developed an advocacy initiative titled "Cultural Program for Gen Z," which aims to make cultural preservation more accessible and engaging for younger generations. The initiative consists of four main activities: Cultural Workshops, Digital Campaigns, Live Performances, and Interactive Cultural Activities. The program was designed to encourage young people to explore, appreciate, and preserve cultural heritage through approaches that are relevant to their everyday lives.

The competition also marked Mawaddah's first experience participating in a cultural pageant. She described the journey as an opportunity to strengthen her communication skills, leadership abilities, and confidence in presenting ideas within public forums.

Mawaddah believes that UNU Jogja's supportive academic environment played an important role in her success.

"The university has played a significant role in shaping who I am today. Academic learning, opportunities for personal development, participation in various activities, and encouragement from lecturers have helped me grow and given me the confidence to take part in this competition," she said.

Through her achievement, Mawaddah hopes more university students will take advantage of opportunities to develop their potential. She believes that participation in both academic and extracurricular activities not only enables students to achieve personal success but also empowers them to contribute to society, including through the preservation of Indonesia's cultural heritage.

UNU Jogja Pharmacy Department Encourages Student Excellence Through Achievement and Community Engagement

As a university committed to preparing globally competitive graduates, UNU Jogja encourages students to pursue holistic personal and professional development through academic excellence as well as regional, national, and international activities. The university views student achievement as an integral part of higher education, fostering leadership, communication skills, character development, and a strong sense of social responsibility.

Through a supportive academic environment, students are encouraged to develop competencies beyond the classroom by participating in student organizations, competitions, community engagement projects, and various capacity-building initiatives. This approach is intended to ensure that graduates excel not only in their academic disciplines but also as adaptable, collaborative, and socially responsible professionals.

Muhammad Alfian, Head of the Pharmacy Department at UNU Jogja, congratulated Mawaddah on her achievement in the 2026 Yogyakarta Cultural Ambassador Competition. He noted that her accomplishment demonstrates that Pharmacy students have opportunities to excel beyond their academic field, particularly in leadership, public communication, and cultural advocacy.

"Mawaddah's achievement demonstrates that our Pharmacy students possess not only strong academic capabilities but also the ability to become active, communicative, and socially engaged representatives of the younger generation. We hope her success will inspire other students to continue developing their potential and confidently contribute to society through various forms of community engagement," he said. [Latifah]