Semarang, 4–5 October 2025 – The highly anticipated Aspire 2025, organized by the Biotechnology Study Program, Diponegoro University in collaboration with Biotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), has officially concluded, leaving behind a wave of inspiration, innovation, and collaboration.
The event opened with a seminar session featuring two distinguished speakers. Prof. Dr. Hermin Pancasakti Kusumningrum, S.Si., M.Si, lecturer of the Biotechnology Study Program, Diponegoro University, delivered a presentation entitled “Marine Genomics and Biodiversity: Biotechnological Approaches for Ocean Sustainability.” Meanwhile, Dr. Lucky Poh Wah Goh, Head of the Biotechnology Study Program at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, also shared insightful perspectives in his session entitled “Health Biotechnology and the Sustainable Development Goals: Innovation for Better Lives”. These sessions set the tone for the event, inspiring participants to explore the intersection between scientific discovery and sustainability.
This year’s event brought together 43 teams and 107 participants from leading universities across Indonesia, who showcased their research and ideas in a spirited competition that celebrated both academic excellence and creativity. Complementing the competition, the Aspire 2025 webinar drew an audience of more than 100 enthusiastic participants, highlighting the strong interest and passion for knowledge-sharing among young scholars.
The competition was marked by remarkable energy and determination, with participants presenting their innovative works in front of a distinguished panel of judges. After a series of challenging rounds, the judges proudly announced the champions: Ofin Hasrat Lase from the University of North Sumatra emerged as the first-place winner, followed by Derzu Toriqally from Universitas Gadjah Mada in second place, and Ananda Muhammad Rakha Putra from Diponegoro University in third place. In addition to the main awards, Aspire 2025 also recognized outstanding achievements through special categories, with Best Presentation awarded to Ofin Hasrat Lase and Best Poster awarded to Stevyka Frista Aninda from UPN “Veteran” East Java. These winners exemplify the talent, creativity, and dedication that Aspire seeks to cultivate.
More than just a competition, Aspire 2025 served as a vibrant platform for growth and collaboration. The accompanying webinar sessions became a space where over a hundred participants engaged in meaningful academic discussions, exchanged insights, and explored innovative perspectives across disciplines. This dynamic interaction underscored Aspire’s mission to nurture a culture of research and innovation while also building networks that extend beyond the boundaries of the event. The collaboration between the Biotechnology Study Program, Diponegoto University and Universiti Malaysia Sabah added an international dimension, showcasing how cross-border partnerships can strengthen scientific exchange and enrich the experiences of young scholars.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Dr. Sri Pujiyanto, S.Si., M.Si., Head of the Biotechnology Study Program, expressed,
“Aspire 2025 is not just about winning titles; it is about building bridges among young researchers, cultivating creativity, and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. The enthusiasm and brilliance of our participants remind us that the future of academia and innovation in Indonesia, and the wider region, is bright and full of promise.”
This year’s Aspire 2025 was held as part of the World Class University (WCU) initiative, under the program “Kelompok Mahasiswa SDGs”, with Adeline Hartono serving as Chairperson and Ditta Putri Kumalasari, M.Si. and Arina Amalia Putri, S.Si., M.Si., as Person in Charge. Their leadership and dedication ensured the event’s smooth execution and its alignment with the global goals of sustainable development, fostering a spirit of innovation with social impact.
The competition featured an esteemed panel of judges consisting of Dr. rer. nat. Anto Budiharjo, S.Si., M.Biotech, Dr. Suhaini Sudi from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Arina Amalia Putri, S.Si., M.Si, and Ditta Putri Kumalasari, M.Si. Their expertise and insightful evaluation played a crucial role in recognizing the most innovative and impactful research presented during Aspire 2025.
As Aspire 2025 concludes, it leaves behind more than just a list of winners—it leaves a legacy of ideas shared, collaborations initiated, and inspiration ignited. With its commitment to promoting research, fostering creativity, and encouraging students to transform ideas into impactful contributions for society, Aspire continues to stand as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation, strengthened further by its international partnership with Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
Event link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XTBn__Y6Ok
