UMS Students Win Third Place at Surakarta Outstanding Research Competition 2026

A delegation of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) students, grouped under the name "Yuemes Juara," won third place at the prestigious Surakarta Outstanding Research Competition 2026. The achievement was earned through an innovative scientific paper on the development of a culture-based educational tourism (edutourism) concept.

The scientific competition was organized by the Surakarta City Government through the Regional Research and Innovation Agency (Brida). This year, the organizing committee carried the overarching theme "Strengthening Knowledge-Based Policy for Sustainable Improvement of Welfare and Competitiveness in Surakarta City," aligned with the Asta Cita development direction of Surakarta City.

The Yuemes Juara team was led by Ibrahim Hikmal Akbar, with members Muhammad Hasbi Assidiqi and Cahya Nayla Sujudi. Before the judging panel, they presented an in-depth study titled "Development of Community and Local Culture-Based Edutourism in Surakarta City." The work was considered highly relevant to the sustainable utilization of regional potential.

The Yuemes Juara team pictured with Surakarta Mayor Respati Ardi at Surakarta City Hall, June 4, 2026.

The UMS team's path to the podium required navigating intense competition. The event drew 145 registrants from various universities across Indonesia. After administrative selection, 97 participants were filtered through to the manuscript assessment stage by an expert team. Through gradual screening from the top 50 to the top 10, the Yuemes Juara team secured its place as a finalist.

The final presentation round was held in person on Thursday (4/6/2026) at the Grand Seminar Room of the Solo Trade Center building at Solo Technopark. The UMS team defended their research arguments before a five-member judging panel comprising academics and government officials: Rutiana Dwi Wahyunengseh (Universitas Sebelas Maret/UNS), Sri Sunarjono (UMS), Yannie Asrie Widanti (Universitas Slamet Riyadi), Joko Mulyono (Brida Central Java), and Tri Suryo Kuncoro (Bappeda Surakarta).

Based on the official decision of the judging panel, the Yuemes Juara team (UMS) was named third place winner. First place went to the Geomobility team from UNS, while second place was won by the Famalu team from Universitas Diponegoro.

For this achievement, the UMS team took home an award consisting of development funding, a trophy, and a certificate of achievement. Through this research, Ibrahim and his team hope that the community-based edutourism concept they have developed can serve as a concrete policy recommendation for the Surakarta City Government in boosting the tourism sector while preserving local culture.

Writer: Syahrialdi

Editor: Fika Annisa’ Sholihah

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid