Bali, May 11, 2025 – Syiah Kuala University (USK) students once again achieved a proud accomplishment. In the Dewata Essay Competition (DEC) 2, held at Universitas Dhyana Pura, Bali from May 10–11, 2025, the USK student team emerged as the overall winner by presenting creative and solution-oriented ideas in the field of environment.
The Dewata Essay Competition (DEC) is an annual national competition aimed at unearthing critical, innovative, and applicable ideas from Indonesian university students. This year marks the second edition, following its successful inaugural event last year. Participants came from various universities across Indonesia, presenting their ideas through essays addressing strategic issues such as environment, technology, social affairs, and economics.
The USK team, consisting of students from the Department of Biology FMIPA and the Faculty of Nursing, successfully captivated the jury with their idea themed “Utilization of Organic Fruit Peel Waste as an Alternative High-Value ECO Print Material.” This idea was praised not only for addressing environmental aspects and organic waste management but also for offering an innovative approach to developing a creative economy based on local resources.
Two students from FMIPA USK, Utari Mulya Agustin and Muhammad Yaumil Akram, were the main initiators of the idea. In their presentation, they explained how fruit peel waste, which is typically unutilized, can be processed using eco-printing techniques to create natural patterns on fabric. This product is not only environmentally friendly but also possesses high aesthetic value and broad market potential, especially within the sustainable fashion industry.
Utari explained that this idea stemmed from their concern for the high amount of organic waste unnecessarily discarded in traditional markets. “We want to show that with creativity and the right knowledge, waste can become a blessing. This ECO print technique has significant potential for development in various regions because its raw materials are abundant and the process is relatively simple,” she stated.
This activity also served as a cross-disciplinary collaboration within the USK environment, combining insights from biology, environment, and public health. The participation of students from the Faculty of Nursing further enriched the team’s idea with health perspectives and the social impact of good waste management.
The competition organizers expressed high appreciation for the idea presented by the USK team. “They not only conveyed an idea but also proved that innovation can emerge from everyday problems if viewed from the right perspective. This project demonstrates the courage of young people in creating real solutions for environmental issues,” said one of the judges.
This victory is a testament to Syiah Kuala University’s commitment to nurturing creative, solution-oriented young generations who care about sustainability issues. Besides bringing home an achievement, the USK team also brought inspiration to other students to continue creating and innovating in addressing contemporary challenges.