Malaysia witnessed the success of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) students at the prestigious 2nd International Youth Summit held on November 9–10, 2024. One of UGM’s delegations won the Bronze Medal after presenting their innovation titled “Harnessing Genetic Transformation and Gene Cassette Strategy: Advancing Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Production for Sustainable Bioplastic.” This creative idea, developed by the PHB Team comprising Lucia Arum Sekar Meysari, Azizah Tyas Nugrahanty and Ganies Riza Aristya from the UGM Biology Faculty, addresses the pressing global problem of plastic waste.
The competition, featuring participants from various countries, focused on the theme of youth innovation in solving global issues. The PHB Team highlighted the environmental challenges posed by non-degradable plastic waste, which threatens both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. In their presentation, they proposed a concept for biodegradable plastic production using microorganisms that decompose naturally in the environment. Moreover, this solution is not only eco-friendly but also cost-effective, as the materials used are readily available and hold significant development potential. The competition evaluated ideas based on innovation, presentation, scientific relevance, and practical implementation potential. With a thorough mastery of the subject and robust supporting data, the PHB Team successfully impressed the international jury.
Despite facing fierce competition from other nations, the PHB Team demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm in presenting their ideas. This success was the result of solid teamwork, intensive preparation, and guidance from experienced lecturers and mentors. Their victory serves as an inspiration for UGM students to continue innovating and bringing Indonesia’s name to the global stage. They hope that this idea can be further developed and implemented in real-world applications.
As an initial step toward a more sustainable future, the team’s innovation in creating biodegradable plastic solutions offers fresh hope in tackling the global plastic waste crisis. This effort contributes not only to reducing environmental damage but also aligns with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 12 on responsible production and consumption and Goal 13 on climate action. Their success demonstrates that cross-disciplinary collaboration, innovative research, and a vision for a greener future can yield tangible impacts. It is hoped that this achievement will inspire more stakeholders to develop innovative solutions for creating a more sustainable world.