A team of Diponegoro University students successfully won 3rd place in the Essay Category at the National Essay Competition Science Week 2025, held on September 27-28, 2025, at Sebelas Maret University (UNS) Surakarta. This annual competition, organized by the HMP Pendidikan Fisika Grafitasi UNS, brings together students from various universities across Indonesia to compete in ideas and innovations.
This success is the result of the hard work and excellent collaboration of the Diponegoro University team, led by Sigit Pramana, a student from the Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology (TRKI) Study Program at the Vocational School, along with two members: Nurfi Misyka from the Chemical Engineering Study Program and Naura Fitri from the Food Technology Study Program. This interdisciplinary collaboration resulted in an innovation: an effervescent drink made from milkfish bone waste, formulated as a natural calcium source to improve bone health.
Milkfish bone waste was chosen for its abundant availability in coastal communities and its high calcium content. For a long time, this waste has often been discarded without optimal utilization. Thru proper processing, the Diponegoro University team successfully transformed it into a practical, economical, and environmentally friendly effervescent product, while also adding value to fish waste.
This achievement received full support from the Head of the TRKI Study Program, Dr. Mohamad Endy Julianto, S.T., M.T., who expressed appreciation for the achievements of his students. We are proud of the team’s success in bringing honor to UNDIP. This work is concrete proof that collaboration between students from TRKI, Chemical Engineering, and Food Technology can lead to innovations that are practical and relevant to community needs. “Hopefully, this achievement can boost the spirit of other students to continue innovating,” he said.
As the team leader, Sigit Pramana also expressed his gratitude for this achievement. We started with the idea of how to process milkfish bone waste, which has been underutilized despite its high calcium content. From there, we tried to formulate a simple, practical, yet health-beneficial effervescent product. “Hopefully, this innovation will not only benefit bone health but also support more sustainable waste management,” he said.
The success in achieving 3rd place in the essay competition at the National Essay Competition Science Week 2025 further underscores Diponegoro University’s commitment to producing students who are not only academically excellent but also adaptable, innovative, and capable of meeting global challenges. With the spirit of cross-disciplinary collaboration, the Diponegoro University team proves that the younger generation can make a real contribution to national development.