UMS Students Sweep Gold Medal and Special Award at Malaysia Technology Expo 2026

Students from Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) have once again made their mark on the international stage. A cross-disciplinary student team brought home a gold medal from the Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) 2026, along with a Special Award from the Chinese Innovation and Invention Society (CIIS) Taiwan.

The prestigious competition was held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur from April 9 to 11, 2026, drawing innovators from across the globe. The UMS team competed with an innovative creation titled "PERMATA (Pendidikan Resiliensi Mental Anak Tangguh): Smart Resilience Ecosystem for Children From Prevention to Post-Traumatic Growth."

Team leader Taufik Imansyah explained that PERMATA was developed as a digital platform to support children's mental recovery following disasters. The innovation was born from the reality that the impact of disasters goes beyond physical destruction, often leaving psychological wounds that go unseen.

Data referenced during development shows that trauma-related conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and behavioral disorders remain serious challenges for children in post-disaster settings.

The supervising lecturer (center) pictured with the UMS student team after winning the Gold Medal and Special Award at MTE 2026. 

"Starting from that problem, PERMATA offers a different approach. The platform combines clinical psychology, AI technology, and local wisdom, enabling it to reach children in ways that feel closer and more relevant to their lives," Taufik explained on Sunday (19/4/2026).

One of PERMATA's standout features is geo-cultural tagging. The system automatically adapts its language, interface, and cultural values based on the user's location. For example, users in Aceh will experience local Acehnese elements, while those in West Sumatra will see Minangkabau cultural references. This approach is considered important because it helps children feel safer, more connected, and less alienated during the recovery process.

PERMATA also features an AI-based tele-screening tool that allows users to conduct an early assessment of their mental condition by answering a few simple questions. The results provide a picture of stress, anxiety, and depression levels, which can then serve as a basis for follow-up steps, including referrals to professional help when needed.

Another feature is the AI Mental Support Companion, a chatbot designed as a storytelling friend for children. Unlike a diagnostic system, this feature functions more as a safe and flexible emotional companion, allowing children to express their feelings without pressure.

On the educational side, PERMATA introduces gamified learning through various interactive features, including a disaster preparedness game, self-reflection exercises, and emergency decision-making simulations.

Another highlight is Pinch and Drop, which lets users interact directly through hand gestures to select essential items during an emergency scenario, making the learning experience feel more real and engaging.

Additionally, the AI-powered Mood and Food Analyzer allows users to scan food items to understand their connection to emotional well-being. This feature helps children grasp the relationship between diet and mood in a simple yet meaningful way.

All of PERMATA's features are designed within a single interconnected ecosystem, covering detection, education, and emotional support. This concept aligns with PERMATA's core goal: to help children not only recover from trauma, but grow into more resilient individuals through post-traumatic growth.

Taufik also expressed gratitude and appreciation for the achievement, emphasizing that the success was inseparable from the team's cohesion in turning an idea into a tangible innovation.

"I am deeply grateful to the entire PERMATA family. Without their dedication, what started as a simple idea would never have become an ecosystem whose benefits can be felt by so many people," Taufik said.

His message, he continued, is simple: keep learning and keep reading. Fiction teaches empathy, he said, while nonfiction provides the tools to change the world.

"Never be afraid of challenges, because that is where your thinking is shaped. No matter how big an idea is, it always starts with a small step. Do the research, build the technology, and choose the best people to walk alongside you. Because in the end, great innovation is born from a solid team, one that feels like family," he said.

Shandy Yusril Fadlullah also shared that this achievement means more than just a prize. For him, it marks the beginning of PERMATA's journey toward broader development, including the potential to scale into a nationally implemented digital solution.

"Innovation is not just about advanced technology; it is about how the solution can truly be felt and used. PERMATA is the beginning of that step," he said with full optimism.

The team consists of Taufik Imansyah (Psychology), Yuanda Eka Saputra (Informatics Education), Asterika Indah Nuraini (Nutrition Science), Mutiah Hanif Nur Afifah (Psychology), Shandy Yusril Fadlullah (Informatics Education), and Muhammad Farid Romadhoni Alqodr (Informatics Engineering). They were supervised by Wisnu Sri Hertinjung, S.Psi., M.Psi. This cross-disciplinary collaboration was the team's core strength in delivering a solution grounded not only in technology, but also in psychological and social approaches.

Writer: Maysali Sudarwati

Editor: Fika Annisa’ Sholihah

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid