Strict Selection of 1,081 Participants: PGSD Student of UNU Jogja Selected for GerakDampak Academy 2026 by Indika Foundation and Highlights Student Mental Health Issues

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – A student of the Primary School Teacher Education (PGSD) Study Program at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), Nofita Nur Safitri, has successfully passed the selection for the Intensive Course GerakDampak Academy 2026 organized by the Indika Foundation. Out of 1,081 applicants from various universities across Indonesia, only 30 participants were selected, and Nofita is among them. 

GerakDampak Academy is a youth leadership development program focused on behavioral change and impact-based social action. The program equips participants with leadership capacity, social issue awareness, and hands-on experience in designing and implementing community-based change projects through a series of learning stages, including online mini bootcamps, intensive courses, and on-site mentoring for real action projects.

In this year’s program, Nofita focuses on the issue of mental health, particularly emotional regulation among university students. This issue is increasingly relevant considering the psychological challenges faced by students, especially in their final academic stage when they are working on their thesis, which often leads to academic pressure, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.

Through her participation, Nofita aims to raise awareness that mental health is not merely a personal issue but an essential part of the educational ecosystem that requires collective attention. She emphasizes that emotional regulation is a key skill that helps students remain productive and resilient throughout demanding academic processes.

“This program has become a new learning space for me to better understand mental health issues, especially emotional regulation among students, and how young people can contribute to creating a healthier psychological environment,” she said.

A lecturer from PGSD UNU Jogja, Dr. Murdianto, expressed appreciation for her achievement. He stated that Nofita’s involvement in this national program reflects the increasing access of PGSD UNU Jogja students to leadership development spaces and social issue engagement at the national level.

“This is also part of the university’s effort to strengthen PGSD UNU Jogja students’ capacity not only academically, but also in social awareness and impact-based leadership,” he added.

As a campus in Yogyakarta committed to strengthening character, leadership, and community empowerment based on Islamic and national values, UNU Jogja consistently encourages students to participate in national-scale personal development programs as part of competency building, leadership enhancement, and social contribution. Participation in GerakDampak Academy serves as one indicator of increasing student competitiveness at the national level.

“Through this achievement, it is expected that Nofita can further develop a sustainable real-action project, particularly in the area of student mental health, and contribute more broadly to both the campus environment and society,” concluded Dr. Murdianto. [Latifah]