Yogyakarta (17/10/2024) – Raka Fadel Devarsa Pahlawan, a student in the Higher Education Management Master Program at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (MMPT SPs UGM), has achieved first place in the Three Minutes Talk competition held as part of SPs UGM’s 41st Anniversary celebration. Known as Fadel, this Bandung, West Java native previously completed his studies in Quranic Studies and Tafsir at Universitas Darussalam Gontor.
His interest in education began to flourish when he actively taught during his four years in college. This experience inspired Fadel to pursue opportunities in education through various scholarships and other academic pathways. Despite his field of study not aligning entirely with this year’s anniversary theme, “Transformation Towards Sovereignty,” Fadel leveraged his creativity to convey ideas about transforming education in the digital era.
Fadel addressed the challenges and opportunities in Indonesian education, especially amidst advancing technology in his short video for the competition. “Education has progressed beyond Education 1.0 and reached 4.0 and beyond, where the internet and artificial intelligence (AI) are optimally utilized. UGM itself supports the positive use of AI,” Fadel remarked. He also highlighted the importance of measuring educational success through real-world outcomes, citing examples of how technology and digital innovations like Gojek have transformed the labor landscape. “If education doesn’t adapt to technology, we risk being left behind,” he added, emphasizing that students, especially those in education, must understand technology to be prepared for an ever-evolving future.
Fadel was surprised and honored to secure first place. “I created this video wholeheartedly as a representative of my program, with the hope of bringing positive recognition to the MMPT program,” he said.
Fadel views the Three Minutes Video competition as an excellent platform for students to present their research in a way that is accessible to a broader audience. “Not everyone enjoys lengthy academic readings, but almost everyone can digest information through video or audio. This competition allows students to communicate their ideas creatively and innovatively, making it accessible to both academics and the general public,” he shared.
Fadel also offered advice to Master’s and Ph.D. students and anyone interested in education. “Learn as much as possible and don’t be limited to the classroom. Take the opportunity for experiences outside of class, like teaching, joining organizations, or participating in competitions like this. Knowledge isn’t just gained in the classroom but also through real-world experiences, relationships, and contributions to society,” he concluded.
Writer: Arfikah Istari