YOGYAKARTA – To commemorate the 43rd Anniversary series of events, the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SPs UGM) successfully hosted the final round of the 3 Minute Thesis Competition on Wednesday, September 30th 2026. Held in the Main Room on the 5th Floor of the SPs UGM Building, the event was officially opened by the Dean of the Graduate School of UGM, Prof. Ir. Siti Malkhamah, M.Sc., Ph.D., IPU., ASEAN.Eng. The competition served as an arena for master and doctoral students to hone their scientific communication skills by delivering the essence of their research concisely, effectively, and engagingly in front of a public audience.
A total of ten finalists from various disciplines presented their innovative research. Mikael Maestro (Doctoral Student in Tourism) opened the presentation session by critically examining current tourism branding to ensure it retains its essential cultural values, under the theme “Cosmological Branding of Tourism in Yogyakarta.” This was followed by Voettie Wisatanone (Doctoral Student in Extension and Development Communication) who highlighted the critical role of communication strategies within the “Ibu Profesional” community as agents of social change and national development. In the Islamic economics sector, Annisa Citra (Doctoral Student in Islamic Economics and Halal Industry) proposed the integration of a bail-in mechanism to strengthen a more stable Islamic deposit insurance scheme. Meanwhile, bridging art and technology, Siti Hajar Binti Aznam (Doctoral Student in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies) introduced the concept of “Tradigital Wayang,” combining projector technology with the puppeteer’s expertise as a novel approach to preserving traditional culture in the digital era.
Research in technology and environmental sustainability also took center stage. Annafis Manruzzaki (Master’s Student in Biomedical Engineering) designed an Exergame based on the COM-B behavior model to divert adolescents’ screen time into healthy physical activity. On environmental protection, Ulfani (Master’s Student in Environmental Science) utilized the 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography method to map the movement of leachate at the Banyuroto Landfill to protect local groundwater sources. Similarly, Dina Aprilia (Master’s Student in Environmental Science) presented an analysis of water quality degradation in the Cisadane River caused by domestic and industrial waste as a foundation for policy recommendations for the government. Additionally, Rizky Romadon (Doctoral Student in National Security) championed an integrated biorefinery concept utilizing agricultural and livestock waste to enhance local energy security in Magelang.
The higher education management sector complemented the diversity of research showcased in the competition. Endah Putri Handayani (Master Student in Higher Education Management) analyzed fair career path management for administrative staff based on a merit system amidst changing university status dynamics. Concluding the presentation session, Lidaena Umami (Master’s Student in Higher Education Management) outlined the implementation of the Outcome-Based Education curriculum at FKIP Universitas Mataram as a strategy to produce competent educators equipped for the modern workforce.
The rich variety of ideas presented by all participants underscored that the overarching research themes were multidisciplinary, all aligned toward a single shared goal: delivering concrete solutions for national improvement and self-reliance. At the close of the event, the panel of judges officially announced the winners of the SPs UGM 3 Minute Thesis Competition 2026, with 1st Place awarded to Dina Aprilia, 2nd Place to Annafis Manruzzaki, and 3rd Place to Voettie Wisatanone.
Author: Nadia Fadlillah Daniswari
Editor: Sri Pangesti Tuhu