UNAIR NEWS – Students from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continue to achieve outstanding accolades. This time, recognition goes to Iqbal Rohim Al Farisi (Faculty of Humanities), Firman Maulana Barokah (Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences), Muhammad Dimas Ferdiansyah (Faculty of Humanities), Ikhsan (Faculty of Science and Technology), and Deva Fitra Firdausa Anwar (Faculty of Medicine).
These five students earned three prestigious awards: the Gold Medal for the Environment subtheme, the Silver Medal for the Health subtheme, and Runner-Up at the 2024 International Youth Conference. They earned these honors at the International Youth Conference (IYC) Essay Competition 2024, held at Universiti Putra Malaysia on Sunday and Monday, August 11-12, 2024.
Rigorous journey
Representing the team, Barokah shared the rigorous and demanding selection process they underwent. It began with submitting their paper and continued through several rounds of evaluations before they advanced to the final stage. During the competition, Barokah and his team faced tough competitors from various countries.
“Alhamdulillah, we presented two concepts: Ecotruck and Vrid. Both ideas passed the selection process and advanced to the finals. We never expected that the ideas we proposed would be recognized at an international level,” Barokah recounted.
Despite reaching the final stage, Barokah and his team encountered significant challenges. He noted that during their final preparation, they struggled with time constraints and tight schedules, particularly since each team member came from different faculties.
“Our biggest challenge during preparation was time management. Moreover, each member was also busy with internships and community service programs (KKN). However, Alhamdulillah, we managed to overcome these challenges,” he added.
Two innovative concepts
In the competition, Barokah and his team presented two innovative concepts: Ecotruck, an automatic waste monitoring app with A-GPS-based ultrasonic sensors to improve waste management efficiency towards a waste-free Indonesia by 2030, and Vrid, a virtual reality-based therapy for treating anxiety as a means to enhance the well-being of individuals with mental disorders in Society 5.0.
Barokah, a student from UNAIR’s Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK), explained that their proposals aim to address the growing problem of waste accumulation in society. He emphasized the urgency of resolving environmental issues before they become even more complex in the future.
“This innovation led us to the idea of installing ultrasonic sensors in trash bins. These sensors detect waste levels and send real-time notifications to sanitation workers through an application we developed. The app receives alerts from the sensors and immediately informs workers when the bins need to be emptied,” Barokah explained.
On the other hand, Vrid is a concept aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals with mental disabilities. Vrid utilizes VR technology to help those with anxiety disorders.
“This is a therapeutic method that leverages VR technology to provide an immersive experience, helping individuals with mental disabilities manage their anxiety. Through VR, users can be placed in a safe and controlled environment where they can gradually and systematically practice facing anxiety-triggering situations,” he said.
Looking ahead
Barokah hopes that these innovations will not only serve as solutions for waste management and mental health but also inspire and motivate other students. He believes that students should not only be passionate about learning but also strive to contribute positively to society.
“Although our academic backgrounds are not directly related to sensor technology, waste management, or VR in creating mental therapy tools, we remain committed to learning. We consulted experts, conducted extensive research, and weren’t afraid to explore new fields to bring these ideas to life,” he concluded.
Author: Satrio Dwi Naryo
Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin
