Students of the Environmental Science Master’s Program, Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), once again made remarkable achievements beyond the academic sphere. Two postgraduate students, Dina Aprilia and Wahyu Febriani, successfully earned prestigious awards in events highlighting strategic issues in public health and cultural preservation.
(Event Documentation)
Dina Aprilia, a student from Tangerang, achieved the Top 4 Favorite Position of Duta Kesehatan (Health Ambassador) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Her motivation to join the competition stemmed from her personal experiences and academic background in environmental studies, which are closely related to health issues.
“I joined this event because it started from health problems experienced by my own family. I want to make a positive impact by helping people gain access to reliable health information,” she explained.
Through her involvement in the Akar Wangi community, Dina actively engages in educational campaigns on the importance of Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) and the potential of the environment as a source of diseases if not properly managed. She hopes that her role as a Health Ambassador can inspire greater public awareness toward healthy and preventive lifestyles.
Meanwhile, Wahyu Febriani was named 2nd Runner-Up of Duta Batik (Batik Ambassador) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta 2025. In the competition that aims to engage young people in cultural preservation, Febri initiated a campaign titled “Sustainable Batik for the Earth and Culture.” The campaign integrates education, environmentally friendly practices, and digital innovation. She emphasized the importance of using natural dyes and managing production waste in batik making, while also developing educational workshops for students and promoting cultural digitalization through social media and digital documentation.
“I want to encourage young people not only to preserve batik as a cultural heritage but to do so in an environmentally friendly and innovative way,” she stated.
(Event Documentation)
The accomplishments of Dina and Febri reflect the tangible contributions of UGM students in addressing societal challenges through multidisciplinary, creative, and sustainable approaches. Through their respective initiatives, both also contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dina’s focus on health education and the promotion of PHBS supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by encouraging preventive health practices, and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by raising awareness of the importance of sanitation in daily life.
Meanwhile, Febri’s campaign on environmentally friendly batik and cultural education supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) through workshops and educational content, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through cultural preservation in sustainable development, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting sustainable batik practices, and SDG 13 (Climate Action) through eco-friendly approaches in the creative industry.
Their achievements demonstrate that young generations can serve as powerful agents of change—not only in advancing public health and cultural preservation but also in contributing to the global agenda for sustainable development.
Authors: Dina, Wahyu