UKDW Lecturer Serves as Judge at Falling Walls Lab Yogyakarta 2026, Encouraging Students to Pursue Innovation
Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and international engagement through the participation of Dr. phil. Lucia Dwi Krisnawati, a lecturer from the Faculty of Information Technology (FTI), as a member of the judging panel for Falling Walls Lab Yogyakarta 2026.
The event was held on May 21, 2026, at the Theatrical Hall of the Prof. Dr. Sardjito General Lecture Building at Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII). Falling Walls Lab Yogyakarta 2026 was organized through a collaboration between the German Federal Foreign Office, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), UII, and EURAXESS, a European platform that promotes collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs, universities, and industry leaders.
The competition brought together young innovators, academics, researchers, practitioners, and professionals from diverse fields to present their groundbreaking ideas. Twenty-one finalists were selected to compete after a rigorous screening process involving approximately 120 submitted proposals.
During the competition, each participant delivered a three-minute pitch supported by a maximum of three presentation slides. The winner will represent Yogyakarta at the international Falling Walls Lab Finale in Berlin, Germany, in November 2026.
The involvement of a UKDW faculty member in this international forum reflects recognition of the university’s academic expertise and reinforces its commitment to fostering a collaborative educational ecosystem that generates meaningful societal impact.
According to Lucia, international platforms such as Falling Walls Lab provide valuable opportunities to expand academic contributions while raising the university’s international profile.
“I see this involvement not only as a personal contribution but also as an opportunity to represent UKDW in an international forum. Participation in events like this is important because it helps more people become familiar with UKDW’s academic strengths and areas of expertise, including our Informatics program,” she said.
Lucia noted that one of the key challenges facing higher education institutions today is not merely establishing international partnerships but sustaining meaningful relationships with global collaborators.
“International collaboration must be built on meaningful communication and strong relationships. Once trust is established, partnerships can grow into tangible opportunities, including joint projects, research funding, and participation in other international academic activities,” she explained.
As a judge, Lucia evaluated participants based on the originality of their ideas, the relevance of their proposed solutions, the potential impact of their innovations, and their ability to communicate effectively within a limited timeframe.
“In just a few minutes, participants must present their ideas clearly and persuasively, both in writing and verbally. That is certainly not an easy task,” she said.
UKDW Rector Dr.-Ing. Wiyatingsih, S.T., M.T., emphasized that the involvement of UKDW faculty members in international forums aligns with the university’s vision of becoming a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Research University.
“The participation of UKDW’s academic community in international forums such as Falling Walls Lab reflects the university’s commitment to supporting innovation, global collaboration, and the development of young people who are prepared to respond to global challenges. We hope UKDW students will become increasingly confident in developing ideas, conducting research, and making meaningful contributions at the international level,” she said.
Lucia also expressed her belief that Indonesian youth possess tremendous potential to compete on the global stage. According to her, the greatest obstacle is often not academic ability but the willingness to take the first step and continue learning.
“International competitions such as Falling Walls Lab should be seen as opportunities to learn and grow, not as something intimidating or reserved for a select few,” she said.
She added that participating in international competitions is valuable regardless of the outcome.
“The process itself is an important learning experience. From submitting a proposal and participating in interviews to presenting an idea before an international audience, every stage contributes to personal and professional growth,” she said.
Through its involvement in Falling Walls Lab Yogyakarta 2026, UKDW hopes to inspire more young people to develop innovative solutions that address societal needs and to engage confidently in global conversations through research, collaboration, and creativity.
By drr
