UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again demonstrated its excellence on the national stage. In the Mandalika Essay Competition, held on Sunday (February 23, 2025), UNAIR’s delegation emerged as the overall champion, securing a remarkable 13 prestigious awards. This outstanding achievement reaffirms UNAIR’s position as one of Indonesia’s leading institutions in research and innovation.
The competition, which attracted participants from universities across Indonesia, served as a platform to showcase the academic prowess and creativity of UNAIR students. UNAIR clinched the overall championship title, third-place honorable mention, two gold medals, one silver medal, five bronze medals, the best presentation award, and second place in another category. These accolades highlight UNAIR’s commitment to producing top-tier graduates capable of excelling on both national and international levels.
Innovations: C-Mount and Marine Robots for Ecosystem Conservation
UNAIR’s triumph was driven by two groundbreaking innovations that captivated the judges—C-Mount and Marine Robots for Ecosystem Conservation. C-Mount is an artificial intelligence-based device designed to assess marine environmental conditions, particularly focusing on coral reef ecosystems.
Meanwhile, the Marine Robot is an autonomous device engineered to remove plastic waste from ocean waters and monitor marine health. This robot is expected to serve as an innovative solution for protecting marine environments from the threats of plastic pollution and climate change.
Thorough preparation and institutional support
Andini Carolina, a student from UNAIR’s Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK) and the team coordinator, attributed the team’s success to meticulous preparation and rigorous training. From in-depth research to intensive presentation rehearsals, every step was undertaken with unwavering dedication.
“We conducted extensive research and rigorous presentation training to effectively communicate our ideas. Additionally, the support from our professors and UNAIR’s academic environment played a crucial role in our success,” she stated.
The achievement was made possible by students from multiple faculties, including the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), the Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidiscipline (FTMM), the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK), the Faculty of Medicine (FK), the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH), and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP). This interdisciplinary collaboration underscores the strong synergy in developing innovative and solution-driven ideas.
“We hope this success continues to strengthen UNAIR’s reputation as a leading educational institution. May this victory serve as an inspiration for other students to embrace competition and contribute meaningfully to the nation,” she concluded.
Author: Sintya Alfafa
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
