Two students from the factuly, Rizqi Karomatul Khoiroh and Muhammad Fathan Mubin competed in Gebyar Mahasiswa Bidikmisi Nasional (National Bidikmisi Scholars Festival) debate competition for the second time. A year ago, the two students won 2nd Place of the debating championship that took place in Pancabudi University, Medan. This year, the competition was held in Bangka Belitung University. They became the 3rd Runner Up. There were also two other competitions, which were Kisah Inspiratif (Inspirational Story) and Bilingual Speech. The event was held on March 5 – 9 with 200 students from 64 universities participating.
In this national competition, four Gadjah Mada University students participated. Other than Karom and Fathan from our faculty, there were also 1 student from Social and Political Sciences and 1 student from Agriculture who also participated as a team for the Kisah Inspiratif and debate category. The team from UGM named themselves Tim Bulaksumur Muda (Young Bulaksumur Team). The debate competition went on excitingly. There were 16 teams during the first round which then became 8 teams, then became only 4 teams, which then competed for the semifinals. Each team sparred with admirable sportmanship.
In this festival, students were also introduced to traditions unique to Bangka Island. They experienced Nganggung, a traditional communal dining event, were taken to historic sites, and were also showed the natural beauty of Bangka Island. Throughout the event, the students stayed in a dorm belonging to the local government. This routinely held event has different themes throughout the years, with many parties, especially Bidikmisi students (exceptional students granted with a full scholarship from the government), reacting to it positively each time.
As part of Gadjah Mada University delegats, we would like to give our gratitude to the faculty and university who have greatly supported us so we could compete in Bangka and bring home this trophy. We hope that other students as well can continue to flourish and achieve great things.