Medan, June 2026 – The English Education Study Program of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), proudly celebrates the outstanding achievement of two of its students, Aulia Putri Julfira Karo-Karo and Amelia Azila, who secured First Place in the Essay Competition category at the National English Competition XIII (NEC XIII), organized by the Students’ Association of the English and Literature Department (HMJ BSI), Universitas Negeri Medan (UNIMED).
NEC XIII was a national-level English competition held under the theme “Youth Voices and Digital Freedom: Navigating Rights and Responsibilities.” The event featured various competition categories, including Essay Competition, Poster Competition, Spelling Bee, Storytelling, English Olympiad, Poetry Writing, Singing, Speech, and Creative Video. Participants consisted of students from schools and universities across Indonesia, providing a platform for young people to showcase their English proficiency, creativity, critical thinking, and academic abilities.
Representing UMSU, Aulia Putri Julfira Karo-Karo and Amelia Azila participated in the Essay Competition category as a team. Their essay, entitled “Breaking the Algorithmic Echo Chamber: Strengthening Youth Digital Literacy to Bridge Digital Freedom and Reliable Information,” successfully impressed the judges through its critical analysis of contemporary digital challenges and its proposed solutions for strengthening digital literacy among young people.
The competition began with a registration and essay submission period from January 16 to May 16, 2026. Following a rigorous evaluation process, the organizing committee announced the top ten finalists on May 29, 2026. The finalists were then invited to present their essays online before a panel of judges. The final presentation and winner announcement took place on June 8, 2026, where the UMSU team was awarded First Place.
This remarkable achievement was accomplished under the supervision and mentorship of Dr. Pirman Ginting, S.Pd., M.Hum., Head of the English Education Study Program at UMSU. His guidance and continuous support played a significant role in helping the students develop their ideas, refine their academic writing, and confidently present their work at the national level.
Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Pirman Ginting expressed his appreciation for the students’ dedication and perseverance throughout the competition process.
“This achievement demonstrates that our students possess strong critical thinking skills, academic competence, and the ability to contribute meaningful ideas to contemporary issues. I am proud of Aulia and Amelia for their hard work and commitment. Hopefully, this success will inspire other students to pursue excellence and actively participate in academic competitions at both national and international levels,” he said.
Dr. Mandra Saragih, M.Hum., Vice Dean III of FKIP UMSU, also congratulated the students and their supervisor on the achievement.
“This achievement is a source of pride for FKIP UMSU and demonstrates the academic excellence of our students. We highly appreciate the dedication of the students and the guidance provided by Dr. Pirman Ginting. Hopefully, this success will inspire more students to strive for excellence and represent UMSU in national and international competitions,” he said.
The success of Aulia Putri Julfira Karo-Karo and Amelia Azila reflects the commitment of the English Education Study Program, FKIP UMSU, to fostering academic excellence, research culture, and student achievement. The program continues to encourage students to engage in scholarly activities that contribute positively to society while strengthening their professional and intellectual development.
The entire academic community of the English Education Study Program extends its heartfelt congratulations to the students and their supervisor for this prestigious accomplishment and wishes them continued success in their future academic endeavors.
