Yogyakarta, September 30, 2026 — Dina Aprilia, a student in the Master’s Program in Environmental Science at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has achieved an outstanding accomplishment by winning first place in the 2026 UGM Graduate School Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition. The competition was held as part of the celebration of the 43rd anniversary of the UGM Graduate School.
Held at the Graduate School’s fifth-floor auditorium on Wednesday, September 30, the competition carried the theme “Strengthening Interdisciplinarity toward National Self-Reliance.” The event provided a platform for postgraduate students to communicate their research findings and ideas in a concise, engaging, and accessible manner to a general audience within three minutes.
Dina Aprilia was one of 10 finalists representing various study programs at the UGM Graduate School. In the final round, she presented her master’s thesis research on the degradation of the Cisadane River’s aquatic environment due to waste discharge across its upstream, middle, and downstream segments. Her research examined the river’s water quality using several water quality parameters and assessed spatial variations in aquatic environmental conditions.
Dina’s first-place achievement demonstrates the ability of students in the Master’s Program in Environmental Science to communicate multidisciplinary research in a clear, concise, and accessible way while addressing environmental issues relevant to society.
The 3MT Competition also provided students with an opportunity to demonstrate not only their academic capabilities but also their ability to communicate scientific ideas to a broader audience. This initiative aligns with the UGM Graduate School’s commitment to advancing knowledge that makes meaningful contributions to society and sustainable development.
During the final round, participants presented their respective research projects before a panel of judges comprising Dody Wibowo, S.IP., M.A., Ph.D.; Ahmad Suparmin, S.P., M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D.; and Ratih Fitria Putri, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. Following all presentations, the judges’ scores were compiled before the winners were announced and the awards presented.
Dina Aprilia’s achievement represents a positive milestone for the Master’s Program in Environmental Science at the UGM Graduate School. It reflects the program’s efforts to encourage students to strengthen their academic capabilities, scientific communication skills, and confidence in bringing environmental issues into the public sphere.
Through this achievement, more students in the Master’s Program in Environmental Science are expected to develop research that is not only academically rigorous but also effectively communicated, beneficial to society, and supportive of sustainable development.
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Dina Aprilia’s research is closely aligned with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, particularly Target 6.3, which calls for improving water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating the discharge of untreated waste, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials. By examining water quality across the upstream, middle, and downstream segments of the Cisadane River, the research can contribute to a better understanding of water pollution and the importance of sustainable water resource management.
The research is also relevant to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, particularly Target 12.4, which promotes the environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste throughout their life cycle. Furthermore, it relates to SDG 14: Life Below Water, given the connection between controlling pollution in inland waters and reducing land-based pollution that ultimately reaches aquatic and marine environments.
This achievement highlights the importance of environmental research and scientific communication in raising public awareness, strengthening pollution prevention efforts, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Author: Dina Aprilia
Editor: Ulyn Nuha