UNAIR Student Wins Two Prestigious Awards in China for Tackling Education Inequality
Hafidhoh Maulidiyah, a student from the Faculty of Humanities at Universitas Airlangga, received two notable awards at the 2025 Youth Leaders Exchange and Conference (YLEC) held in China. The student, known as Lidya, was recognized as both the Best Oralist and the recipient of the Best Project award for her efforts to address educational inequality.
Event Overview
The event, organized by Gold Nation Indonesia, occurred from April 15 to April 18, 2025, and followed a series of online workshops that began in February. Participants had the opportunity to visit prominent academic institutions, including Tsinghua University and Peking University, as part of the conference.
Conference Experience
Lidya described the YLEC as a blend of leadership initiatives and cultural exchange, where participants collaborated on solutions for real-world issues pertinent to the conference’s theme. This year’s theme centered on enhancing the resilience of young leaders in the context of digitalization through global collaboration, aligning with Lidya’s interests in digital transformation and interdisciplinary teamwork, subjects she explored in the Digistar program.
Project Details
Her team presented a project titled “Stand for Life: No More Left Behind,” which focused on bridging the educational gap between urban and rural areas, particularly for at-risk youth aged 16 to 18. The project’s objectives included improving literacy, numeracy, and entrepreneurship skills.
Recognition
At the conference, teams presented their proposals through a combination of pitch decks, group presentations, and Q&A sessions. Lidya’s project was selected as the Best Project overall due to its robustness and practicality.
Collaboration and Impact
The collaborative discussions and contributions from team members with diverse backgrounds enhanced their approach, allowing for better tool selection and increased project planning efficiency, according to Lidya.
Cultural Insights
In addition to her academic achievements, Lidya’s experience in China expanded her cultural understanding. She visited several historical sites and engaged in discussions with diplomats at the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing. This exposure provided insights into China’s integration of humanities with science and technology.
Personal Reflection
Reflecting on her experiences, Lidya highlighted the significance of self-awareness in achieving success. She advised individuals to maintain a balance between self-confidence and realistic assessments of their abilities when setting meaningful goals.
This article was authored by Fania Tiara Berliana Marsyanda and edited by Ragil Kukuh Imanto.
