UMS Student Innovation Nutri-Flour W2W Earns Global Spotlight

A team of students from Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) successfully secured a gold medal and a Special Award for Best Presentation at the prestigious Global Youth Innovators Competition (GYIC) 2025 thanks to their innovation: Nutri-Flour W2W (Waste to Wellness).

One of the team members, Salsabila Khoirun Nisa, a Public Health student at UMS, explained that Nutri-Flour W2W is a concept of processing food waste into nutrient-rich flour aimed at preventing stunting in children.

“Nutri-Flour W2W is not just an alternative food product, but also includes an educational platform based on a mobile application,” explained Salsabila on Thursday (31/7/2025).

She continued, the app provides articles, videos, health journals, and a list of partner MSMEs that sell Nutri-Flour products and healthy food, combining nutritional solutions with community economic empowerment.

“This innovation was born out of our concern for two major issues in Indonesia: the high stunting rate, which has reached 21.5%, and domestic food waste, which amounts to 14.73 million tons per year. We want to offer a solution that is impactful and sustainable,” said Salsabila.

The UMS student team consists of Arief Surya Adhi (Accounting), Dizzo Violeta (Informatics Engineering), and Salsabila Khoirun Nisa (Public Health). They were guided by a competent lecturer, Windi Wulandari, S.K.M., M.P.H., who provided strategic direction throughout the development process.

Each team member played a vital role in the innovation’s development: Dizzo designed the app system and digital technology, Arief developed the business strategy and financial sustainability, Salsabila focused on validating the nutritional content and public health aspects of the product.

Interestingly, the initial idea for Nutri-Flour W2W came from a casual discussion at a coffee shop in Surakarta in February 2025. The inspiration was further shaped by the team's experiences in various international competitions, including events in Semarang and Bangkok.

The GYIC 2025 competition was organized by Exalter Students and involved a rigorous selection process. The UMS team first had to submit an Innovation Model Canvas in early July, before being selected as finalists and presenting their project in English before an international panel of judges in an online session held on July 26–27, 2025.

Although the innovation has not yet reached mass production, the team has prepared a detailed plan for a pilot project. They plan to collaborate with the Laboratory of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UMS to ensure Nutri-Flour is safe and suitable for consumption before it is rolled out to the public.

Salsabila shared that the competition was a valuable experience that broadened their perspective on innovative solutions from other countries. However, she firmly believes Nutri-Flour W2W stands out for integrating food innovation, digital technology, and MSME empowerment, directly supporting several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The role of the academic advisor was also crucial. Windi Wulandari was recognized as a key figure in sharpening the team’s innovation strategy. She encouraged collaboration with the Gita Pertiwi NGO and provided important literature references that strengthened the project’s scientific foundation.

“We are very proud to represent UMS and Indonesia on the international stage. This victory doesn’t just belong to us, it belongs to the entire academic community of UMS and the young generation of Indonesia who believe that innovation can change the world,” Salsabila concluded.

Writer: Yusuf Ismail

Editor: Fika Annisa Solihah

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid