Mataram, University of Mataram – Three students of the University of Mataram (Unram), namely Ferdinan Hariyadi or commonly called Faro from the Communication Studies Program, Ratu Agung Satya Dharma from the International Relations Study Program, and Dewi Wulan Suci Indana from the Agricultural Engineering Study Program, succeeded in winning a grant of 5,000 SGD each from the National University of Singapore (NUS) which was held on September 1 – December 31, 2024. This grant was given to each team they participated in, showing the extraordinary achievements of Unram students in the international arena.

Faro’s team carried out the project “FINable: FINancially Empowering Youth Card Game 🃏”, which aims to improve financial literacy among ASEAN youth through educational card games. Team Indana presented a project entitled “MangoGo! – From Overflow to Get-to-go 🥭”, which focuses on processing surplus mangoes in Cambodia into recycled paper to reduce waste and increase farmers’ income. On the other hand, Team Satya brought the project “Sibol 📕”, which educates children in the Philippines about environmental change through picture storybooks.

To carry out these projects, Faro, Satya and Indana worked together with their respective teams of students from various universities in Asia. Their projects were selected after a rigorous selection process, which began with a main idea selection where each group was given two days to develop a proposal and presentation video. Out of the numerous teams that participated, only 8 made it through as grant recipients, including Faro, Satya, and Indana’s teams.

The NUS grant program is part of the Asian Undergraduate Symposium (AUS) held in Singapore from July 1-13, 2024. The AUS program engages students across Asia to discuss solutions to regional challenges, particularly on Interconnected Communities that include climate change, sustainability, needs and desires, and diversity and inclusion. Through this program, NUS provides opportunities for participants to exchange cultures, expand knowledge, and work together in cross-country teams.