Yogyakarta, March 30, 2026 – Another proud achievement has been attained by a student of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Muhammad Deni Maulana, a student of the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program, has successfully earned the title of Outstanding Student (Mapres) at the faculty level in 2026.
The prestigious award was announced online through a Zoom Meeting organized by Universitas Gadjah Mada. The decision was based on the results of a recapitulation process and a formal selection meeting for the 2026 faculty-level Outstanding Student competition within UGM.
During the selection process, participants were evaluated through various comprehensive aspects. These included a creative idea proposal, English proficiency, and a portfolio consisting of eight main indicators: achievements or competitions, recognitions, awards, organizational experience, creative works, community service, and entrepreneurial activities. All these aspects served as benchmarks in assessing both academic and non-academic excellence.
In the 2026 Outstanding Student Selection (Pilmapres), Muhammad Deni Maulana presented a topic on inclusivity in literary education. He proposed an idea titled “Transformative-Inclusive: Reconstruction of a Poetry-Based Language and Literature Curriculum to Strengthen Literacy Education for Deaf Students in Special Schools.” This idea was inspired by the reality that conventional curricula in special schools (SLB) tend to be textual-linear and phonemic-oriented, thus not fully accommodating the learning needs of Deaf students, who rely more on visual-kinesthetic approaches and Indonesian Sign Language (BISINDO). Through the optimization of poetry as a learning medium, he offers a more inclusive and adaptive approach to improving literacy among persons with disabilities.
In addition to his innovative idea, Deni also shared motivational messages for fellow students. He emphasized that every opportunity is a valuable door that does not always come twice, and therefore must be utilized as best as possible. He encouraged students not to wait until they feel fully ready to start, but instead to keep trying, stay consistent, and believe that every small effort today contributes to something greater in the future. According to him, any field of study holds significant potential for meaningful contribution when pursued with dedication.
Muhammad Deni Maulana’s achievement not only reflects his personal dedication and hard work, but also highlights the quality of education at FIB UGM in producing outstanding, creative, and competitive graduates. This accomplishment is expected to inspire other students to continue excelling and contributing across various fields.
This achievement also aligns with the commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, which emphasizes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. Additionally, it supports SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth through the development of students’ competencies in entrepreneurship and career readiness.
[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]
