Proving Love for the Country, FMIPA UI Students Achieve Achievements at the 2022 Language Ambassador Selection Event

Abdillah Dhiyaa Bramantyo, a 2017 Biology student from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI) was named the second best finalist in the 2022 DKI Jakarta Language Ambassador Selection event organized by the Language and Literature Development Center, Language Development and Fostering Agency, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemendikbud Ristek UI).

Language Ambassadors are figures of the young generation of language and literature development partners who focus on prioritizing the Indonesian language, preserving regional languages, and mastering foreign languages ​​with the aim of improving the function of the Indonesian language at the international level, as in the three main topics focused on in this event, namely language and literature literacy, internationalization of the Indonesian language, and protection of regional languages.

To the FMIPA UI public relations team, Abdillah admitted that he was proud of his achievement in the event. For him, by participating in this kind of activity, he can channel proof of his love for his homeland, while also playing a bigger role as a figure for the younger generation to socialize Indonesian as the main language, preserve regional languages, but not deny his mastery of foreign languages.

"This opportunity is a place for me to actualize myself for my love of the Indonesian language, where I really want to be directly involved, and have high motivation to continue learning and making an impact," said Abdillah enthusiastically.

The fairly strict selection involved 115 participants who participated in stage I. In this stage, participants were required to upload a video with the theme "If I Were a Language Ambassador" via the YouTube channel. The selection then produced 60 semifinalists who will then continue their journey as Finalists for the 2022 DKI Jakarta Province Language Ambassador.

Previously, Abdillah had gone through a series of selections, including the Adaptive Indonesian Language Proficiency Test (UKBI) and interviews with members of the DKI Jakarta Language Ambassador Association and staff of the Language Development and Fostering Agency. The results of the selection resulted in 30 people being determined as finalists and entitled to undergo the preparation of linguistic and literary crafts, delivery of materials, and assessment to become representatives at the national level.

Interviews were conducted in groups of 5-6 people, where the questions asked covered linguistic and literary issues, as well as those related to the language ambassador program, such as KBBI, thesaurus, language maps, and lists of foreign equivalents of terms.

After being named a finalist, Abdillah underwent a series of online briefings for two days. The briefing also invited various important figures, including Dr. Muh. Abdul Khak, M.Hum., Dr. Maryanto, M.Hum., and Riza Sukma, M.Hum. from the Language Development and Fostering Agency of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology. Figures from private institutions were also invited, such as Abdy Azwar Sahi, M.I.Kom., CPR as a journalist from Metro TV and Katharina E. Sukamto, Ph.D. as a lecturer at the Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia Jakarta.

During the briefing, the selected finalists also carried out language and literature activities in groups, namely language and literature activities carried out by language ambassadors to improve the community's positive attitude towards language and literature. In general, language and literature activities take themes according to priority programs that are the targets of implementing the tasks and functions of the language agency and language center office.

This year's linguistic and literary competition carries the theme "Follow-up on Cooperation with Jakarta's Old Town”. The determination of the theme was motivated by the signing of the Governor of DKI Jakarta on the establishment of the Old City of Jakarta area as a location or area for prioritizing the practice of the national language in public spaces.

There are three small themes available in the linguistic and literary activities, namely literacy, protection and modernization of language and literature, and improving the function of Indonesian in public spaces. Abdillah and his group members got a theme regarding improving the function of Indonesian in public spaces and specifically focused on coaching activities for MSME actors in prioritizing Indonesian in public spaces.

Abdillah, who is part of group 1, took the Batavia Kantine location as a melting pot for UMKM actors fostered by the DKI Provincial Government who were previously street vendors who had just been relocated.

"MSMEs are informal sector workers who need attention because our economy is also supported by these MSME actors. Unfortunately, their use of Indonesian can be said to be imperfect, both spoken and written," said Abdillah.

Abdillah and his group members recorded data on 14 MSME actors in Batavia Kantin and carried out three stages, namely audience and assessment of the beneficiary situation, socialization and assistance, and evaluation and appreciation.

Abdillah and his group members recorded data on 14 MSME actors in Batavia Kantin and carried out three stages, namely audience and assessment of the beneficiary situation, socialization and assistance, and evaluation and appreciation. pre-test and post-test." said Abdillah.

The peak day of the selection of the best finalists took place offline at the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia. There are several indicators that are components of the assessment, namely the Linguistic and Literary Creativity Report, Public Speaking Techniques, Foreign Language Ability (Oral), Artistic and Cultural Talent, Personality/Psychology, and Attitude and Appearance

Even though the selection process was quite tight and intensive, Abdillah's strong motivation was the main driving force that led him to win the championship.

The young man who has a history of experience as one of the 16 West Java Student Language Ambassadors in 2017 believes that language issues in Indonesia are not issues that only concern one or two people, but rather issues for all levels of society.

"Until today, the issue of language is still very relevant. An example is the recent news when Indonesian wanted to be made the second official language in ASEAN, but was opposed by Malaysia. From this case, we learn that it really needs the efforts of the wider community in conducting language diplomacy so that Indonesian can be recognized in ASEAN and become an international language," he continued.

For information, the Language Ambassador Selection Activity was carried out with the mission to always produce a young generation who are ready to translate and align the ideals of the youth of the Class of 1928 into real actions in accordance with the dynamics of the development of the times and are able to spark a role in strengthening the function of the Indonesian language in order to strengthen the identity and competitiveness of the nation.

This is not the first time the Language Ambassador Election has been held, but rather, every year, the Language Development and Fostering Agency has held a National Language Ambassador election. Before the National Level was held, the organizing committee held a provincial level election which was carried out by the technical implementing unit of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, namely the Language Center and Language Office.

With the implementation guidelines for the 2022 DKI Jakarta Language Ambassador Election, it is hoped that this activity can be carried out optimally in accordance with the objectives of the activity, namely increasing the role of the younger generation in Indonesia in strengthening the function of Indonesian, regional, and foreign languages ​​according to their respective areas of use in order to strengthen the character, dignity, and competitiveness of the nation.

The DKI Jakarta Language Ambassador Selection activity was carried out in a combination of online and offline. The Language and Literature Krida for the 2022 DKI Jakarta Language Ambassador Selection was held on July 18-August 27, 2022. Furthermore, the briefing activity for the finalists of the DKI Jakarta Language Ambassador Selection was held online on August 19 and 21, 2022. The assessment activities were carried out on August 20, 2022 (online) and August 25-27 (face-to-face at the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia).

The selected Best I winner continues his/her journey as a National Language Ambassador, while the Best II and III winners are involved in the Language and Literature Activities for the Selection of the National Language Ambassador.

News source : https://sci.ui.ac.id/