About
Published on
Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Surabaya, FTEIC ITS – Andi Ammarsyah Absan, a 2024 Biomedical Engineering student at the Faculty of Electrical, Informatics, and Intelligent Technology (FTEIC) ITS, has achieved the position of 2nd Runner Up in the DUTA ITS 2026 selection. The Grand Final and DUTA ITS 2026 Awarding Ceremony was held on September 24, 2026, at the 11th Floor Hall of the ITS Research Center.
For Absan, the achievement marks part of his journey to develop himself while promoting the importance of communicating innovation to the public. His interest in joining DUTA ITS stemmed from his observation that ITS has many innovations with the potential to benefit society, yet not all of them are widely known or understood. Through his role as a DUTA ITS, he hopes to help bridge the gap and translate these innovations into simpler and more accessible forms of communication.
Absan’s Journey to the Grand Final
Absan’s journey in the DUTA ITS 2026 selection began with the document screening stage. This stage was one of the challenges he faced, as he decided to register during the extended registration period and had to prepare during the holiday within a relatively limited time. After advancing to the Top 11, participants were given a video assignment to promote lesser-known aspects of ITS. Absan chose to highlight the ITS Buggy Car, which is actually available for students to use free of charge, although many students are still unaware of the service or assume that it requires payment.
Absan then went through two interview stages. The first was conducted by the Public Communication Unit (UKP) and a psychologist, followed by an interview with DUTA ITS representatives from the previous period. After being selected as one of the five finalist pairs, Absan underwent a training period covering public speaking, dance, and knowledge about ITS. According to him, the Grand Final was the most challenging stage, particularly when he received the only question in English among the five finalists. The support of his family, friends, and the audience attending the event in person or watching through YouTube livestreams encouraged him to give his best performance.
Preparation and Support from Various People
In preparing for the competition, Absan broadened his knowledge of ITS while improving his public speaking skills. His previous experience as a speaker, moderator, and active participant in front of the camera also helped him build confidence and mental readiness. In terms of appearance, he also began paying greater attention to his diet and overall grooming.
His preparation was supported by various people. Absan received encouragement from his family, Biomedical Engineering classmates, senior and junior students, lecturers, Forum Daerah (Forda) friends, high school friends, and various acquaintances he had made since the beginning of his university studies. Their support became a source of motivation that strengthened his confidence throughout every stage of the competition.
Challenges Along the Way
One of the main challenges Absan faced throughout the competition was overcoming fear and insecurity, particularly when comparing himself with the abilities and achievements of the other four finalists. To overcome this, he chose to stop comparing himself with others and instead focus on his own development. He viewed other people’s achievements as motivation to continue improving his abilities.
Balancing his academic responsibilities, organizational activities, and competition preparation was another challenge. A supportive environment helped him maintain this balance. Whenever he fell behind in his coursework, Absan actively asked his friends for notes and learning materials. Meanwhile, within his organizations, he was supported by teammates who worked collaboratively and adjusted the division of responsibilities while he focused on preparing for the competition.
A Touching Moment at the Grand Final
The journey to the Grand Final brought several memorable moments for Absan. One of them was the time spent with the nine other finalists throughout the training period and Grand Final rehearsal. The experience brought the finalists closer together and created a bond that felt like a new family, together with the DUTA ITS representatives from the previous period and the UKP team.
Another memorable moment occurred after the event ended. Absan initially thought that only a few supporters would attend, but many friends, as well as senior and junior students, came to support him in person. He also learned that many other friends had watched the event through watch parties. The surprise moved him and made him realize even more deeply how much support he had received from the people around him.
Bringing ITS Innovation Closer to the Public
As a DUTA ITS, Absan hopes to continue his initial mission of becoming a communicator who can bridge campus innovations with the wider public. He hopes to collaborate with various parties to package student works and innovations, including applied technologies from different faculties, into digital content or campaigns using language that is more popular and easier for the general public to understand.
According to him, ITS should not only be recognized as a strong engineering university, but also as an innovative institution that is closely connected to society. In addition to this plan, Absan and the other DUTA ITS representatives are also preparing various activities aligned with their mission of introducing the potential and innovations of ITS to a wider audience.
A Message for FTEIC Students
For FTEIC students who are interested in participating in similar competitions, Absan encourages them to step outside their comfort zones. According to him, doubts about one’s own abilities can sometimes become limitations created by oneself. Competitions such as DUTA ITS are not merely about appearance, but also provide an opportunity to learn how to carry oneself, communicate effectively, develop personal branding, and convey ideas to the public.
He also emphasized that the various innovations created by FTEIC students need communicators who can help convey their benefits to the wider public. Therefore, he encourages students not to hesitate to take opportunities when they arise. The courage to try can be the first step toward discovering new potential and experiences that they may not have realized before. (Humas – Ny)