Yoga Angkawijaya Kristiawan, a student from the Faculty of Biotechnology at Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW), Yogyakarta, has once again made his mark on the international stage. Yoga earned the prestigious Gold Medal and was named Winner of the Presentation Award at the 2024 World Youth Researchers Conference (WYRC), hosted by the Inventify Center.
The WYRC is an international forum that brings together young researchers aged 16-35 from across the globe. Its mission is to foster international collaboration and develop innovative solutions to address challenges related to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yoga’s research, titled “Bioentrepreneurship for Sustainable Development Goals: Empowering Healthy Lifestyles by Utilizing Local Resources,” applied a bioentrepreneurial approach to harness bioactive compounds from local biodiversity, aimed at improving public health.
“By integrating biotechnology, my research focuses on identifying and optimizing functional components in local plants with significant health benefits. Utilizing these resources not only supports environmental sustainability but also creates opportunities for innovative, accessible health products,” Yoga explained. “Collaboration with local communities enables us to develop a socially impactful, locally-based economic model that links scientific knowledge with practical applications.”
In addition to creating natural resource-based health products, Yoga also developed a digital platform to expand public access to environmentally-friendly health products. The platform serves as both a distribution channel and an educational resource, designed to raise awareness about the importance of adopting a scientifically-backed, healthy lifestyle. It also fosters an ecosystem for health-oriented food and beverage (F&B) entrepreneurs, enabling collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the development of innovations based on sustainability and public health principles.
In his final presentation, Yoga impressed the judges with his deep understanding of the topic and strong communication skills, securing him the top award. “This conference provided a valuable opportunity to learn and connect with talented young researchers from around the world. It reinforced the importance of research in addressing global challenges. This award motivates me to continue contributing to research that benefits society,” he said.
Judging criteria at WYRC 2024 included the urgency of the research, innovation, validity, and presentation quality. Yoga’s achievement of the Gold Medal reflects his excellence in all these areas. This accomplishment adds to his growing list of achievements in national and international competitions, demonstrating his dedication and passion for innovation.
“I hope this achievement inspires fellow students to confidently pursue their innovative ideas, and encourages the rise of more talented young researchers in Indonesia who can offer creative solutions to global challenges,” Yoga concluded. [humasukdw/trans.drr]