Another remarkable achievement has been made by a student of Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES). Muhamad Rifki Mubaroq, a student from the Faculty of Languages and Arts (FBS), has been named The Runner Up 1 Putera in the national-level Duta Pesona Nusantara Batch 2 competition in 2026.
This prestigious event, organized by the Yayasan Pesona Budaya based in Surabaya, brought together 512 outstanding young representatives from across Indonesia. Rifki, representing Central Java Province, successfully advanced through a series of rigorous selection stages held since early this year.
The selection process began with a comprehensive test and in-depth interview covering culture, arts, education, and tourism. These topics align with the vision of Duta Pesona Nusantara, which aims to uphold cultural values through education, arts, and tourism, promoting the nation’s image both through global media and direct community engagement.
Following the initial phase, Rifki was among 114 top candidates who proceeded to the next round. In this stage, delegates were required to create an Exploration Video highlighting the unique cultural, touristic, or artistic characteristics of their respective regions. Rifki chose to feature the Semedo Site Museum in Tegal Regency, Central Java.
The Semedo Site Museum was selected for its significance as an archaeological and paleontological center dedicated to preserving evidence of ancient life. Operational since 2015, the museum houses thousands of fossil fragments of early humans, including Homo erectus, prehistoric fauna such as Gigantopithecus, and various stone tools discovered at the Semedo Site, estimated to be hundreds of thousands to millions of years old.
In addition to the exploration video, Rifki was tasked with writing an essay titled “The Development of Social Culture in Indonesia and Its Impact on the Lifestyle of Generation Z in the Digital Era.” The essay highlighted how digital media is not an obstacle but rather a significant opportunity to develop and preserve culture among the younger generation.
For the final selection stage, Rifki showcased his talents through a Skill Demonstration Video, performing a poem titled “A Blood-Smeared Jacket” by Taufik Ismail. The poem, rich with the spirit of national heroes’ struggles, was chosen as a reminder that the cultural wealth enjoyed today is the result of the sacrifices made by the nation’s forebears. This final stage also included an online interview that determined the finalists’ positions during the awarding night.
The grand event, held on February 8, 2026, in Surabaya, announced 12 finalists (6 men and 6 women) from the 114 candidates. Rifki emerged as The Runner Up 1 Putera, following The Winner Putera, Tjokorda Gede Pramajaya Pemayun from Bali. The Winner Puteri title was awarded to Hattala Sinta Queen Gabriella Hamiprojo from the Special Region of Yogyakarta.
The Acting Dean of FBS UNNES, Prof. Dr. Nur Qudus, M.T., IPM., expressed his appreciation for Rifki’s achievement. “We are immensely proud of Muhamad Rifki Mubaroq. This accomplishment proves that FBS UNNES students excel not only academically but are also capable of competing and contributing to the preservation of national culture and tourism. This aligns with our commitment to producing graduates with strong character and global competitiveness,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Javanese Literature Study Program at FBS UNNES, Dr. Prembayun Miji Lestari, M.Hum., added that Rifki’s achievement is a tangible form of cultural revitalization carried out by the younger generation. “What Rifki has done is an example of how a student can bridge tradition and modernity. His ability to perform Taufik Ismail’s poetry and introduce an ancient museum like Semedo through digital platforms is a form of cultural preservation relevant to our times. This strongly resonates with the spirit we instill in the Javanese Literature Study Program, that culture must be kept alive and communicated to a broad audience,” explained Prembayun.
Rifki’s achievement contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by enhancing cultural insight and character education through the arts. This activity also supports SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by creating opportunities for young people to pursue careers in tourism and culture-based creative industries. Furthermore, the collaborative spirit across regions in this event reflects support for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
From the perspective of Higher Education Key Performance Indicators (IKU), this accomplishment strengthens IKU 1 (Graduates Obtaining Decent Jobs) and IKU 2 (Students Gaining Experience Outside Campus). Rifki’s participation in this national event serves as a concrete implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program, where students develop leadership, communication, and cultural insight skills outside the traditional classroom setting.
Rifki is no stranger to competitive arenas. Since his high school years, he has been active as an enthusiast and has won several awards, including 1st Place in the National Level Sociology Olympiad (OSN) in 2023, 1st Place for Best Short Film at the Illegal Cigarette Eradication Event in 2024, and 1st Place in the Men’s Vlog Category at the 9th Raimuna of the Tegal Regency Branch organized by the Tegal Regency Scout Quarter in 2024. He is also actively involved in traditional Javanese music (karawitan), theater, and film.
With this achievement, Rifki is expected to carry out his mandate as a Duta Pesona Nusantara, serving as a frontrunner in promoting culture, tourism, arts, and education that are integrated with global media.
