FMIPA UI Students Demonstrate Geological Mapping Skills in International Competition

Depok, September 11, 2026 — The field geological mapping skills of students from the Geological Engineering Study Program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), received recognition at International Geomapping Gua Musang IGGM 17.0 in Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia. Five FMIPA UI Geological Engineering students received several awards in both team and individual categories during the event, which was held from August 14 to 26, 2026.

The achievement was reflected not only in the team’s overall ranking but also in awards recognizing various aspects of geological mapping. Garhi Wiga Habibullah received the Most Sample Collected and Best Teamworkawards, both earning first place and a Gold Award, as well as Best Second Group which placed second and received a Silver Award.

Renjiro Pacifica Malano received the Best Traverse and Best Daily Reportawards, both earning first place and a Gold Award, as well as Best Third Group placing third and receiving a Bronze Award. Ahmad Samy received the Best Coordinate Position Update award, securing first place and a Gold Award. Meanwhile, Abdurrazaq and Kiral Rafa Aramsyah were named Runner Up Best Participant and Second Runner Up Best Participant.

The range of awards highlights the students’ ability to carry out various stages of fieldwork, from sample collection and positioning to planning mappingtraverse, preparing reports, and working effectively as a team.

IGGM 17.0 was organized by the Department of Geosciences, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), as an international geological mapping program that brought together geology and geoscience students from universities across Southeast Asia. Participants were challenged to conduct field mapping directly in the Gua Musang area, which is characterized by diverse rock formations and geological structures.

Asri Oktavioni Indraswari, S.T., M.Sc., D.Phil., the faculty advisor accompanying the FMIPA UI Geological Engineering team, said that the experience was important for testing the students’ ability to apply geological concepts in complex field conditions.

“Geological mapping requires the ability to integrate various types of data collected in the field. Through this activity, students learn not only to identify rocks and geological structures, but also to ensure that the data collected are accurate, interpretable, and scientifically accountable,” said Asri.

According to Asri, the students’ achievements across various award categories also demonstrate that the competencies required for geological mapping are interconnected. Accuracy in data collection, field decision-making, communication, and teamwork are all integral parts of the process.

For the students, the experience also provided an opportunity to put the skills they had acquired through their studies in the Geological Engineering Study Program at FMIPA UI to the test in a broader academic environment. They were required to work under field conditions that demanded physical endurance, independence, and adaptability.

“IGGM 17.0 turned out to be about more than just mapping and geology. We also learned how to survive and adapt in the forest,” said Abdurrazaq.

Throughout the program, participants had to prepare their own meals using limited equipment. They also interacted with local communities, who assisted with the participants’ transportation to and from the mapping area.

For the FMIPA UI team, the experience complemented the technical competencies they developed during the mapping activities. The international program also brought them together with geoscience students from various countries across Southeast Asia, creating opportunities to exchange knowledge and experiences on regional geological conditions.

The achievements at IGGM 17.0 mark an important international experience for FMIPA UI Geological Engineering students in testing their geological mapping skills in the field. The accomplishment also demonstrates their mastery of technical competencies and teamwork in a competitive environment alongside participants from universities across Southeast Asia.