Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha) students participated in the international competition again. This time, they participated in the World Youth Invention and Innovation Award (WYIIA) event organized by Indonesian Young Scientists Association (IYSA) in collaboration with Yogyakarta State University. This event was held from Tuesday, August 17, 2021, until the awarding night on August 21, 2021. In this prestigious event, the Undiksha team consisting of Gede Gery Apriliana Putra from the Chemistry Study Program, I Putu Raka Nata from the Physics Education Study Program, Kadek Sri Andriani from the Chemistry Study Program, Komang Sarini Dewi and Ni Putu Ayu Niya Loviyani from English Language Education Study Program received two awards, namely the gold medal in the environmental category and the MIICA Special Award.
The award was obtained through a work entitled “Recycling Plastic Waste Mixed with Riced Husk Ash and Natural Inorganic Pigments into Environmentally Friendly Decorative Paving Block”. The team leader, Gery Apriliana Putra explained that this innovative work focuses on an eco-friendly concept with a product in the form of paving blocks. This product is made from plastic waste combined with rice husk waste and red stone from Tajun as a natural inorganic pigment that is fade proof even when it rains and the sun shines. “The advantages of eco paving blocks are that it has an aesthetic value with a combination of red color that is fade proof, has high compressive strength, low water absorption, it is not mossy and not slippery so as to provide security and comfort for the users,” he explained, Sunday (9-22-2021).
This competition was participated by 377 teams from 35 countries around the world. The Undiksha team took approximately one month to make preparations including product preparation, scientific articles, product videos, and presentation materials. “Through all these processes, we are very grateful to have the opportunity to participate in this competition. In addition, we also feel proud because even though in the pandemic situation, we can still contribute achievements to our beloved Undiksha,” he said.
Furthermore, he thanked the Undiksha leaders for providing support in participating in the competition. The supervisor, Dr. I Dewa Ketut Sastrawidana, M.Sc., also expressed his pride toward this achievement. “This achievement makes us more motivated to continue working and participating in similar events to make Undiksha proud in the national and international arena,” he added.
Vice Chancellor of Undiksha for Student, Alumni, and Public Relations Affairs, Prof. Dr. I Wayan Suastra, M.Pd., expressed his appreciation for this achievement. “We are very proud of the students because they keep the spirit of competition and achievement in the midst of this pandemic,” he said. He also invited this spirit to be maintained and followed by the other students. “Achievements are not only important for our university, it is also important for students in increasing competitiveness,” he concluded. (pr)
