A student team from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), named FarmForward, received a Gold Medal at the 3rd International Youth Summit, which took place on May 24, 2025, at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). The event was organized by the Sentosa Foundation in partnership with INSAN USIM, USIM, and the World Association of Young Scientists (WAYS), and featured numerous entries from various educational institutions.
Among the seven finalist teams, FarmForward not only secured a Gold Medal in the “Law and Economics” category but was also recognized as the second overall winner. Furthermore, UNAIR was awarded the Grand Champion title for achieving the highest overall performance across all participating teams.
The FarmForward team included five students from various disciplines: Azzela Neirine Maharani (Accounting, 2024), who acted as team leader; Fandy Ahmad Firmansyah Anwar (Accounting, 2023); Safrina Putri Indira (Management, 2023); Zhafa Putra Syah (Communication Studies, 2023); and Rafi Aqillah Afif (English Literature, 2023).
Addressing Farm Labor Issues with Socioeconomic Solutions
The team’s project, titled “FARMFORWARD: Empowering Communities Through a Social Enterprise Consultant to Achieve Sustainable Economic Goals,” aimed to tackle challenges faced by agricultural workers, including low wages, crop failure, and food loss, all of which jeopardize the long-term economic stability of farmers.
To combat these issues, the team proposed a social enterprise model centered on community empowerment and economic sustainability. Team member Zhafa Putra Syah noted that their genuine concern for these challenges informed their presentation, enhancing its emotional resonance and impact.
Challenges Faced and Future Aspirations
The team’s research began in early February, with weekly practice presentations to refine their approach. Despite the requirement to submit their presentation slides just two days before the competition, the team demonstrated preparedness for the event.
Indira expressed optimism regarding the potential expansion of their project in collaboration with government entities and other stakeholders, indicating a belief in the broader applicability of their solution throughout Indonesia. Anwar emphasized the experience’s encouragement to participate in future international events, highlighting the team’s desire to continue representing UNAIR and Indonesia on a global platform.
The accomplishments of the FarmForward team reflect the academic and creative capabilities of UNAIR students, as well as the university’s commitment to fostering collaboration, empathy, and innovative approaches to addressing real-world issues.
(Source: unair.ac.id)
