Depok, July 5, 2024 – Muhammad Daffa Rif’at, a student from the Faculty of Administrative Sciences, University of Indonesia (FIA UI), was named Best Delegate at the International Youth Excursion Forum (IYEF) Malaysia Chapter. He achieved this accolade after passing several stages, including registration, a basic competency test, a leaderless group discussion, interviews, and the final announcement.

Daffa’s participation in this event highlighted the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education worldwide. “The implementation of SDG 4 is not solely the responsibility of governments but also involves all stakeholders, including private entities and civil society organizations advocating for quality education,” he emphasized.

He also stressed that educational changes and outcomes cannot be observed overnight. “It needs a process. As I mentioned in my presentation, it can take from 1-3 months to even 10-15 years to see whether there are significant improvements in Indonesia’s education system. Again, collaboration among educational actors is crucial, along with a steadfast commitment to prioritizing quality education for future generations,” said Daffa.

The International Youth Excursion Forum (IYEF) is one of the key programs under Semangat Muda Indonesia, which manages Youth ID, the primary organizer of this event.

Daffa participated in the selection process from March 2024 until the announcement on June 7, 2024. “Preparing for this international delegation involved many aspects, from conference agendas and cultural expressions to financial arrangements and passports. I took on the role of group leader focusing on SDG 4 (Quality Education) to discuss issues and comparisons between Indonesia and Malaysia,” he explained.

Daffa shared that one of the main challenges he faced during this international event was responding to and addressing questions and criticisms from fellow delegates to find solutions and clarify the specifics of implementing Sustainable Development Goals programs.

“Throughout the conference, I actively provided responses to questions and criticisms from other delegates. My ability to respond promptly stems from my public speaking experiences, which I have developed since high school and carried with me to Kuala Lumpur while representing the University of Indonesia. Additionally, my previous visit to Kuala Lumpur also allowed me to assist other delegates in navigating the city and offering historical insights about Malaysia,” he added.

Daffa’s active participation throughout the event led to his recognition as the Best Delegate at this international forum in Malaysia. He earned the title by outperforming delegates from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Germany. His guiding principle, “Terbentur, Terbentur, Terbentuk!” (Struggle, Struggle, Grow!), has been a driving force in his journey to becoming an accomplished student.

Dean of FIA UI, Prof. Dr. Chandra Wijaya, M.Si., M.M., expressed pride and appreciation for Daffa’s achievement, as it brought honor to the University of Indonesia, particularly FIA UI. “I hope this accomplishment motivates other students to continue striving for excellence, both academically and non-academically,” said Prof. Chandra.