Yogyakarta – Students from the Social Studies Education Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), have once again brought pride to the university by achieving international recognition. A student team consisting of Zidni Rahmatika Maulidah, Nasywa Salma Wida Azzahra, Hemas Wafida Istiqomah, Natyas Sherly Mareta, and Bakhtiar Zulmi won two Bronze Medals at the International Future Leader Competition (IFLC) 2026, held in Yogyakarta on July 25, 2026.
The team earned awards in two categories: Food and Social & Economy, demonstrating their ability to develop innovative solutions addressing strategic issues related to food security, social development, and sustainable economic growth. This prestigious international competition brought together university students from various institutions to present creative, research-based, and innovative ideas aimed at addressing global challenges through interdisciplinary approaches.
Winning two medals in different categories reflects the strong academic capabilities and multidisciplinary perspectives of the Social Studies Education students at FISIP UNNES. Through their projects, the team demonstrated that the social sciences play a crucial role in developing innovative solutions that are not only academically sound but also relevant to community needs and sustainable development.
The team’s success was achieved under the guidance of Siti Ekowati Rusdini, S.Pd., M.Pd., who served as the faculty advisor. Throughout the preparation process, she provided intensive mentoring by refining the project concepts, strengthening their academic foundation, developing presentation strategies, and evaluating each stage of the competition, enabling the team to perform confidently before the international judging panel.
Siti Ekowati Rusdini expressed her appreciation for the students’ enthusiasm, teamwork, and dedication throughout the competition. According to her, winning two medals in two different categories demonstrates the students’ ability to think critically, collaborate effectively, and develop innovative ideas capable of competing on the international stage.
“This achievement demonstrates that Social Studies Education students have tremendous potential to develop solutions that address global challenges. I hope this accomplishment will inspire other students to continue innovating, enhancing their competencies, and confidently competing in international forums,” she said.
This achievement further strengthens the culture of academic excellence, innovation, and collaboration within FISIP UNNES. Beyond bringing pride to the Social Studies Education Study Program, it also reflects UNNES’s commitment to preparing graduates who are globally competitive, adaptable to change, and ready to become future leaders capable of making meaningful contributions to society.
The success of the FISIP UNNES Social Studies Education students is also aligned with Universitas Negeri Semarang’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their achievement in the Food category contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by promoting innovative ideas that support food security and sustainable food systems. Meanwhile, the award in the Social & Economy category supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through solutions that foster inclusive economic development and reduce social disparities. Furthermore, participation in this international competition reinforces SDG 4 (Quality Education) by enhancing students’ competencies and global competitiveness, as well as SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening international academic networks and collaborations in pursuit of sustainable development. Through this remarkable achievement, FISIP UNNES students have once again demonstrated that innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence are essential foundations for developing globally competitive future leaders.
