The Youth Future and Social Action (YFSA) International Competition, organized by the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), officially concluded last Wednesday. The final round of the essay competition took place at the C7 Hall, FISIP Campus, Sekaran, Gunungpati, Semarang.
The competition featured three categories—essay, poster, and short video—each producing its own winners. In the essay category, the first prize was awarded to a team from UNNES consisting of Aditya Rizqi Pradana (Informatics Engineering) and Salma Alifah Setyaning Putri (English Literature).
The duo impressed the judges with their work titled Go Far Away: A Narrative Adventure-Based Digital Game Application as an Educational Medium on the Mental Health Impacts of Sexual Violence Among Adolescents. The digital game was designed as an educational tool to raise awareness about the psychological effects of sexual violence on young people’s mental health.
In the game, players take the role of a child whose parents have left to perform the Umrah pilgrimage. They must explore the environment, avoid threats, and maintain the mental health of the character. Through this gameplay, Aditya and Salma aim to create an empathetic learning experience about trauma and psychological recovery for victims of sexual violence.“This was our first experience joining an international competition, and we’re thrilled to have won. We plan to further develop the game’s narrative and mechanics to deepen its emotional impact,” said Salma after receiving the award.
Based on a survey involving 15 respondents aged 13–25, most participants found Go Far Away effective as an educational medium. Respondents agreed that the game is relevant in explaining the mental health impact of sexual violence among adolescents and could be used in educational campaigns at schools and communities.
Another essay finalist, Muhammad Roekhan from the Biomedical Engineering Program at Telu University Purwokerto, also attracted attention with his paper Quantum Eco Agro Nexus (QEAN). His idea focuses on integrating quantum technology and smart farming to strengthen food security in Indonesia’s new capital city, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN).
QEAN combines quantum-based climate modeling with sustainable agricultural practices such as agroforestry and urban farming. According to Roekhan, the system helps farmers predict weather patterns and manage irrigation more efficiently to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Dean of FISIP UNNES, Prof. Arif Purnomo, emphasized that the YFSA competition provides a valuable platform for young people to channel their ideas and social awareness.“As its name suggests, YFSA is a competition designed to train young generations to think critically about social phenomena. It serves as a space for creativity and innovation that will benefit their future,” said Arif.
Through YFSA, FISIP UNNES aims to foster more young innovators capable of integrating technology, creativity, and social concern to address today’s global challenges.
