JATINANGOR, 24–26 September 2026 — Students from the Plant Protection Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), achieved three awards at the 2026 Plant Protection Day (PPD), organized by the Plant Clinic Student Association, Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran. Held offline from Thursday to Saturday (24–26/9), the event brought together students from universities across Indonesia.
Under the theme “Synergy of Science, Innovation, and Industry for Sustainable Plant Detection,” Plant Protection Day 2026 provided a platform for students to develop their knowledge, skills, and critical thinking in the field of plant protection. The competition featured several categories, including the Scientific Quiz Competition and Plant Doctor Competition.
In the Scientific Quiz Competition, participants competed in teams by answering scientific questions related to plant protection. Each team was challenged to collect as many points as possible by providing correct answers quickly and accurately. The competition involved 16 teams, with each team consisting of three students from universities across Indonesia.
The UGM team, consisting of Galih Parama Sutejo as team leader, Oscar Destawira Patria Manggala Putra, and Moh. Iven Fajar Setyonugroho, secured Second Place in the Scientific Quiz Competition. The achievement demonstrated the students’ knowledge of plant protection as well as their ability to collaborate and make quick decisions in a competitive setting.
Meanwhile, the Plant Doctor Competition challenged participants to identify and analyze plant pests and diseases based on specimens and information provided during the competition. The competition consisted of several stages, including the preliminary round, semifinal, and final.
During the preliminary and semifinal rounds, participants carried out a series of plant pest and disease identification tasks to assess their ability to recognize specimens and analyze plant protection problems. Teams that successfully advanced then proceeded to the final round, which was conducted in laboratory settings.
In the final round, each team entered three prepared rooms. Each room contained documents consisting of questions and specimens that participants were required to identify. They then answered questions based on their identification results and recorded their answers on the provided answer sheets. After completing the identification sessions, the competition continued with a presentation session before a panel of lecturers.
The team consisting of Reza Umami, Aprilia Nur Safitri, and Hapsah Luthfia Rahmawati secured Second Place in the Plant Doctor Competition. The team demonstrated their ability to identify specimens, analyze symptoms and characteristics of plant pests and diseases, and determine appropriate management approaches.
Furthermore, the trio composed of Fathimah Al Auliya, Shabrine Aliyafaza, and Revalina Diniyyah Husna claimed Third Place in the Plant Doctor Competition. This success strengthened UGM’s presence at Plant Protection Day 2026, showcasing how effectively these students translate classroom insights into real-world competitive success.
Overall, UGM students’ achievements of Second Place in the Scientific Quiz Competition, Second Place in the Plant Doctor Competition, and Third Place in the Plant Doctor Competition marked a notable accomplishment at Plant Protection Day 2026. Participation in the competition provided students with valuable experience while strengthening their skills in observation, analysis, rapid identification of plant pests and diseases, problem-solving, and teamwork.
These achievements are expected to encourage students in Plant Protection at UGM to continue developing their knowledge and skills while actively participating in national-level competitions. Such achievements also contribute to strengthening both the academic and non-academic accomplishments of UGM students and their role in the field of plant protection.
