UNAIR NEWS – Beauty alone holds little value without intelligence, insight, strong character, and compassion for social and cultural issues. These qualities define the success of Nydia Yuliana, a History student at the Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), who was selected as a finalist in the 2025 Miss Indonesia pageant. Representing East Kalimantan, Yuliana took the stage on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the RCTI+ Studio in Jakarta.
Yuliana described being chosen as a Miss Indonesia finalist as one of the most meaningful accomplishments in her life. She emphasized that the title is not merely a public accolade, but a significant responsibility.
“This role comes with greater responsibility. As a Miss Indonesia finalist, I must live by the values of MISS—Manners, Impressive, Smart, and Social—every day. More than that, I must give real purpose to beauty, in line with Miss Indonesia’s vision of Beauty with a Purpose,” she said.
Advocating for change through innovation
Miss Indonesia is widely regarded as the country’s premier pageant for young women, guided by the motto Beauty with a Purpose. The competition evaluates contestants not just on appearance, but on their social contributions and humanitarian initiatives.
In line with this, Yuliana chose to spotlight the ongoing issue of sexual harassment. She and her team responded by launching a tangible project: the online platform notourfault.id.
“I saw this issue as a personal call to act. The situation is deeply concerning, so I decided to create a website focused on education and support for survivors of sexual harassment, domestic violence, and bullying,” she explained.
Following the pageant, Yuliana reaffirmed her commitment to the values she embraced throughout the competition. “I will continue to stay involved in social causes. I believe I was created to be a blessing to the people around me,” she said with conviction.
Empowering young women
Yuliana’s drive and determination serve as a source of inspiration for young women—especially those still hesitant to take bold steps. “I had to hold myself back for three years before I found the courage to finally go for it,” she shared. “I’ve often faced people who told me I couldn’t do this simply because of my background or gender.”
She hopes that young women across Indonesia will keep striving toward their dreams. “Don’t be afraid to chase what you believe in. I truly believe life is a choice, so make sure you choose the path you’re worthy of,” she concluded.
Author: Selly Imeldha
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
