May 16–18, 2026
Lombok – A student from the Department of Education (JP) at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), once again achieved a proud accomplishment at the 8th Mandalika Essay Competition held on May 16–18, 2026, in Lombok. They are Four Steven Lase, Maesya Nursabillah, and Valencianita, who won a gold medal in the Agriculture subtheme. Students from the Sociology Department also contributed by bringing home a Bronze Medal in the Environment subtheme, a Bronze Medal in the Education subtheme, a Bronze Medal in the Tourism subtheme, as well as the Favorite Poster award in the Environment, Education, and Agriculture subthemes. Their participation in this national-level competition serves as clear evidence that Sociology students from the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) at ULM not only excel academically but also possess competitiveness, creativity, and sensitivity toward various strategic issues emerging in society.
These achievements were certainly not easily attained. Behind this success lies a thorough preparation process, solid teamwork, and intensive guidance from the supervising lecturer, Muhammad Adhitya Hidayat Putra. The academic support provided during the essay and poster development process was a key factor in enabling the team to present their ideas in a systematic, creative, and relevant manner aligned with the competition’s theme. Not only that, this success also demonstrates that students are capable of developing critical ideas that are not merely theoretical but also offer solutions to environmental, educational, tourism, and agricultural issues—the subthemes of the competition.
Rochgiyanti, Head of the Sociology Department at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) of ULM, also expressed her appreciation for the students’ achievements. This accomplishment is a source of pride for the department, as it demonstrates the continuously improving quality of academic guidance and the students’ enthusiasm for honing their scientific writing and critical thinking skills. It is hoped that this success will not only serve as a record of achievement for the team but also inspire other students to continue actively participating in various competitions, whether at the regional, national, or international levels. In this way, a productive and competitive academic culture within the Faculty of Education and Teacher Training (FKIP) at ULM can continue to grow and make a tangible contribution to the advancement of knowledge.
The achievement in the Agriculture subtheme, which won a Gold Medal, was one of the highlights of this competition. This accomplishment underscores that the team’s concept is outstanding, innovative, and relevant to the needs of sustainable development. Meanwhile, winning the Bronze Medal in the Environment, Education, and Tourism subthemes demonstrates the consistent quality of their work across various fields of study. The Favorite Poster award in these three subthemes shows that the team is also capable of presenting visual works that are engaging, communicative, and easily understood by the audience. The combination of strong essay-writing and poster-design skills was a distinct advantage for the team of Sociology Education students from FKIP ULM in this competition.
More than just a competition achievement, this success reflects the spirit of FKIP ULM students in developing their potential and bringing honor to their alma mater. Active participation in events such as the Mandalika Essay Competition 8 serves as a vital platform for honing analytical thinking skills, boosting self-confidence, and broadening students’ perspectives on current societal issues. Moving forward, this achievement is expected to motivate the entire academic community to continue supporting the development of students’ interests, talents, and achievements through mentoring, guidance, and ample opportunities to compete.
(Article Contributor: Muhammad Adhitya Hidayat Putra.)
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