EduAsiaNews, Bandung – Three students from the Postharvest Technology Study Program at the School of Life Sciences and Technology–Engineering (SITH-R), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), collectively known as Team Althara, won the Gold Medal (First Place in the Food Security Subtheme) as well as the Overall Grand Champion title at the Sustainable Innovation National Essay Competition (SINEC) 2026. In the competition, the team presented FERBINA Flour (Fermentasi Bijian Nusantara), an innovative composite flour produced through a biotechnology-based fermentation process using locally sourced raw materials. The product is designed to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on imported wheat while remaining accessible and easy for local farmers to produce.
The innovation also contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger.
The team consists of Maritza Kayla Zasky Malikha, Agnes Ruth Savira, and Naveed Muhammad Falah.
The national competition was organized by Cakap Riset in collaboration with the Indonesian Association of Law Student Researchers and PGRI University Yogyakarta (UPY). The Awarding Ceremony was held in person at the Yogyakarta Health Polytechnic Building on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
According to the team, selecting the Food Security subtheme was closely aligned with their academic background in Postharvest Technology and addressed a highly urgent national issue. “Food has greater value when its benefits extend beyond the dining table and generate broader economic, social, and environmental impacts,” said Naveed.
This outstanding achievement was made possible through the guidance of Dzulianur Mutsla, S.Si., M.T., Ph.D., who served as the team’s academic advisor. He provided continuous mentorship and ensured that the innovation was developed with a clear direction and realistic implementation prospects for Indonesia.
The team’s journey to victory was accomplished amid demanding academic and extracurricular commitments. In the final round, they competed against hundreds of teams from universities across Indonesia before ultimately being crowned the overall champion.
The team attributed its success to a thorough understanding of their research essay, strong teamwork, and a genuine commitment to delivering practical solutions that contribute to strengthening Indonesia’s national food security.
