UNAIR NEWS – Students from Universitas Airlangga’s Faculty of Medicine (FK UNAIR) have once again made a remarkable achievement by claiming first place at the 2025 National Anatomy Olympiad AORTA. The prestigious event was held from February 21–23, 2025, at Hasanuddin University, Makassar.
In an interview on Thursday (February 27, 2025), Deva Fitra Firdausa Anwar, representing the FK UNAIR delegation, expressed his gratitude for the achievement. “We are incredibly grateful for FK UNAIR’s unwavering support, which continuously encourages students to excel at the national level,” he stated.
Journey to victory
Anwar detailed the rigorous nature of AORTA 2025, an esteemed competition designed to test medical students’ proficiency in anatomy through multiple challenging rounds. The FK UNAIR team, consisting of Deva Fitra Firdausa Anwar and Syauqie Alifian Wandhara, demonstrated exceptional skill and perseverance, excelling in every stage of the competition.
During the preliminary round, the team tackled 100 questions under strict time constraints, achieving the highest score of 520 points. Advancing to the semifinals, they faced a series of engaging challenges, including anatomy memory exercises, cadaver-based diagnostics, and strategy-based games such as Snakes and Ladders and mazes.
In the final round, participants competed in a rally-style contest across four universities in Makassar. Despite the heightened level of difficulty, FK UNAIR’s team successfully crossed the finish line first, securing the championship title.
“This competition tested not only our academic knowledge but also our endurance. Thanks to meticulous preparation and strong teamwork, we managed to emerge victorious,” Anwar remarked.
Learning from past experiences
The FK UNAIR team entered this year’s competition with a strong determination to redeem their performance from the previous year, when they only earned an Honorable Mention. “We first learned about this competition from our seniors who had participated before. Last year, we competed but didn’t manage to secure a top spot. This year, we were determined to prove that we could rise to the top,” Anwar explained.
Beyond winning the title, the competition provided invaluable lessons. Anwar emphasized the importance of teamwork, time management, and strategic thinking under pressure, which played a crucial role in their success.
“Victory isn’t just about intelligence; it’s about collaboration, strategic planning, and maintaining composure under pressure,” he noted.
Furthermore, competing against some of the best medical students from across Indonesia fueled their motivation to continue growing. “What stood out the most was realizing that perseverance, a well-thought-out strategy, and mental resilience truly made the difference. Alhamdulillah, this victory is the result of our hard work over the past year,” Anwar concluded.
Author: Adinda Aulia Pratiwi
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
