EduAsiaNews, Pekanbaru — Beneath the soaring ceiling of the magnificent Pakning Theater, dozens of Universitas Riau’s finest students stood before a panel of judges, bringing with them every achievement, idea, and aspiration they had worked hard to earn. Universitas Riau (Unri) once again hosted its annual Outstanding Student Selection (Pemilihan Mahasiswa Berprestasi/Pilmapres) at the university level in 2026, held on March 28–29 at the Integrated Classroom, Pakning Theater, Bina Widya Campus — a continuing effort to foster an academic culture defined by excellence, innovation, and global competitiveness.
The event was officially opened by Unri’s Vice Rector III, Prof. Dr. Hermandra, who emphasized that Pilmapres is far more than a competition — it is a structured development process aimed at nurturing intellectually resilient and morally grounded young leaders. “Pilmapres is not merely a contest, but a development process to produce outstanding graduates capable of competing at the national and international levels,” he said before the assembled participants, judges, and academic community.
The selection process was comprehensively designed, encompassing document verification, panel discussions, presentations of outstanding works, and in-depth interviews by the judging panel. The first day focused on selections for diploma and undergraduate participants, while the second day proceeded with the judges’ plenary session and the determination of five finalists. Those finalists were then tested through a public speaking session before the winners were announced and presented with certificates and trophies by university leadership. Assessments went well beyond academic achievement, placing equal weight on real-world community contributions and demonstrated leadership.
For Unri, Pilmapres represents a long-term investment in building an academic ecosystem that values achievement, drives innovation, and cultivates leadership from an early stage. The event reaffirms the university’s resolve to produce graduates who are not only academically proficient, but also prepared to meet the real challenges of society and the global stage.
The winners of Pilmapres Universitas Riau 2026 will go on to represent the university at the national-level competition organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia — carrying the name of Riau to a far greater stage. (**)
