Universitas Udayana Agricultural Technology Students Win Overall Champion and Multiple Awards at Elbajo Essay Competition 5

• Posted by: Admin
• Selasa, 15 September 2026
• Has been read 6 time(s)

Students from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP), Universitas Udayana, have achieved an outstanding result at the Elbajo Essay Competition 5, organized by Sentosa Foundation in collaboration with the Office of Education, Youth and Sports of West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

The team, consisting of Ruben Hugo Sagita, Bella Citra Ayu Andani, I Kadek Leo Dwipayana, and Kadek Arlyatha Anantha, secured multiple awards across the Agriculture and Environmental subthemes and ultimately received the Overall Champion title.

In the Agriculture subtheme, the team won a Gold Medal for their work entitled “PURIFICATION OF CIGARETTE FILTER WASTE AS AN INNOVATIVE SOILLESS GROWING MEDIUM WITH A SLOW-RELEASE FERTILIZER MATRIX COATED WITH TAPIOCA STARCH.” The work explores the innovative use of cigarette filter waste as a soilless growing medium, combined with a slow-release fertilizer matrix based on tapioca starch.

The team also achieved a Silver Medal in the Environmental subtheme for their work entitled “MORIBI: BIOFILM AND BIOBEADS BASED ON MORINGA (Moringa oleifera) LEAVES AND SEEDS WITH A TAPIOCA STARCH–ALGINATE MATRIX AS AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BIOADSORBENT FOR WATER TREATMENT.” The project presents a bio-based material innovation utilizing moringa and tapioca starch–alginate matrices to support more environmentally friendly water treatment.

In addition to the two major medals, the team received the Favorite Poster Award in the Agriculture subtheme and the Best Paper Award in the Environmental subtheme. They also secured Third Honorable Mention in the final round, further demonstrating the quality and consistency of their work throughout the competition.

The team's strong performance across multiple categories culminated in their being named the Overall Champion of Elbajo Essay Competition 5.

This achievement highlights the students' ability to develop innovative ideas addressing contemporary challenges in agriculture and environmental sustainability. It also reflects the importance of encouraging students to combine scientific thinking, creativity, and practical solutions in responding to real-world issues.

Through various academic competitions and student development activities, FTP Universitas Udayana continues to support students in strengthening their critical thinking, creativity, and innovation. The achievement at Elbajo Essay Competition 5 is expected to inspire more students to pursue excellence and contribute innovative ideas at both national and international levels.