Every student has their own way of recognizing their potential, sharing ideas, and taking a role in campus life. When those potentials come together in one space, diversity is not only a picture of academic life but also an opportunity to learn from one another, collaborate, and create innovation.

That spirit filled the Grand Final of the 2026 UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta Campus Ambassador Selection, held in the Convention Hall on the first floor of the campus on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Under the theme "Authentic in Harmony, Empowered for Innovation," the event gave students from across faculties a space to show their capabilities and strengthen their shared commitment to carrying campus values out into society.

Twenty finalists were chosen from more than 100 applicants after a tiered selection process that included document screening, a written test, interviews, and a semifinal. Since September, they have gone through a quarantine and coaching period covering capacity building, a talent show, and various preparations for the grand final night. Assessment began during the quarantine period and was part of the process that brought the finalists to the grand final.

Event Chair Agustin Simamora said the theme chosen this year carries the hope that finalists will show their true selves, respect differences, build collaboration, and deliver useful innovation.

The grand final was the culmination of the long process the finalists had gone through. Scores from the entire program, including the quarantine and coaching period, determined the top five males and top five females who advanced in the competition.

In the top-five round, the finalists faced the challenge of delivering a one-minute speech. In that limited time, they had to shape their ideas concisely, convey their message clearly, and show their communication skills before the panel of judges.

Their speech performances then became the basis for narrowing the field to the top three males and top three females. These six finalists moved on to the next stage: answering the judges' questions, drawn by lot.

At this stage, finalists had to understand the question, organize their thoughts, and deliver a focused answer. The ability to respond directly to questions was an important factor in determining the final result.

The panel of judges consisted of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan; Syafullahi Maslul, Secretary of the Internal Audit Unit and a member of the university's Information and Documentation Management Officer (PPID) team; Yosefita Ramadhani, Duta Genre Indonesia 2023 (Indonesia's Youth Generation Ambassador); and Akbar Bayu Laksono, Dimas Terpilih DIY 2025 (Yogyakarta's Dimas Diajeng ambassador, male category).

The judging resulted in Rafa Wahdana Arrais of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business as the male winner, and Salsabila Aldafuadiyah of the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication as the female winner of the 2026 UIN Sunan Kalijaga Campus Ambassador.

First Runner-up went to Muhammad Fatkhi Hidayatillah of the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences and Fayza Atmaja Putri of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. Second Runner-up went to Aby Anchecha of the Faculty of Science and Technology and Qotrunnada Salsabila of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business.

Meanwhile, Damar Haizani Nafis of the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication and Najma Ulya Izzatunnisa' of the Faculty of Sharia and Law took Third Runner-up. Fourth Runner-up went to Ibnu Haqqy of the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences and Nisma Tandayu of the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Several finalists also received special awards. Farrel Tri Hanura of the Faculty of Sharia and Law and Tazkiatul Luthfiah Al Andawy of the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought received the Talented Ambassador award. The Public Information Transparency Ambassador award went to Muh. Nur. Fathir of the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences and Heviana Dhita Novtalia Putri of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business.

The Social Ambassador award went to Muhammad Irsyad Qolbie of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business and Aqsha Fallaqbe Nindar Kusworo of the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training. Ahmad Fahmi Saddad of the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training and Bunga Syafa Kamila of the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication received the Intelligence Ambassador award. The Favorite Ambassador award went to Muhammad Nasrun Syahputra of the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication and Rania Rahma Humaira of the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Behind the final results lies the journey of 20 finalists who went through selection, quarantine, and coaching. The titles of winner and runner-up, along with the special awards, recognize particular achievements but do not change the standing of all finalists as Campus Ambassadors who share a common responsibility.

They come from various faculties with different academic backgrounds, experiences, and potential. This diversity is an asset for building collaboration and expanding students' contributions, both on campus and in society.

The theme "Authentic in Harmony, Empowered for Innovation" invites students to know themselves while staying open to other people's perspectives. Being authentic means understanding the potential one has, while building harmony means respecting differences and making them a space for complementing one another.

That responsibility does not end with a stage performance or a title. More than that, being a Campus Ambassador demands consistency in upholding integrity, respecting diversity, and turning ideas into real contributions.

The Grand Final of the 2026 UIN Sunan Kalijaga Campus Ambassador Selection closes the series of competitions and marks the start of a new journey for all the finalists. The experience of selection, quarantine, coaching, and assessment is expected to serve as provisions for continued growth and collaboration.

In the end, diversity is not just about having students with different potentials. Diversity becomes a strength when every potential has room to grow and every individual is willing to take part in a shared goal. From these 20 finalists, this spirit is expected to keep growing, nurturing the campus's identity, strengthening collaboration, and bringing benefit to society.(humassk)