Politap Students Win First Place at Indonesian Vocational Olympiad

Students of Politeknik Negeri Ketapang (Ketapang State Polytechnic) won 1st place in the Vocational Olympiad in the construction field under the Construction Material Innovation category at Universitas Diponegoro Semarang on 6-8 November 2019. The Politap student team from the Civil Engineering Study Program, consisting of Okta Raqib Israfi, Zulkifli, Muhammad Faturahman, and Fahrul Rozi, under the guidance of lecturer Hurul’ain, S.T.,M.T, succeeded in innovating through their project titled "The Effect of Utilizing Local Company Waste of Ale-Ale Shells, Kernel Shells, and Plywood Glue on the Compressive Strength of Concrete." The Politap students' work received appreciation from the panel of judges after eliminating Universitas Haluoleo (Utilization of surrounding soil as interlock block material) and Universitas Diponegoro (Utilization of snake fruit seed and corn cob waste as a concrete mixture producing eco-friendly high compressive and tensile strength) in the final.

Hurul’ain as the supervising lecturer stated that the presence of ale-ale shell, kernel shell, and plywood glue waste is a major waste problem in Ketapang Regency; through this student research, solutions to the problem can be supported by research innovations carried out by students.

Director of Politeknik Negeri Ketapang Endang Kusmana, who was also present accompanying the students during the competition final, said that the polytechnic continues to encourage all components—students, lecturers, and educational staff—to continue innovating and achieving at the local, national, regional, and international levels. Endang added his hope that the success of these civil engineering students would become an inspiration for all that anyone can achieve success with strong personal determination and collaboration with related parties, including Study Programs, Departments, institutions, and other stakeholders.

"Today is an era of change, so whoever can capitalize on change will excel. For the Politap students who succeeded in this olympiad, they have proven that they can cast aside doubts, fear, and insecurity, and replace them with courage so they can succeed at the national level," added Endang.

When asked about the programs to be developed for student activities, the Director stated that all students are encouraged to actively participate in various competitions, whether in talents and interests, entrepreneurship, or reasoning and creativity. Okta and his peers from Civil Engineering are encouraged to compete at a higher level, namely the international level, while regarding the research results, the Director stated that efforts will be made to patent them and connect inventors, innovators, investors, and the community so that the students' innovations can benefit the public.