Shannon Nathaniel Malini, a 2022 student of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM) from Tangerang, Banten, proudly represented FKG UGM in an international scientific competition held in Bali.
This opportunity came through information shared by her academic supervisor, who also serves as her thesis advisor. In July, Shannon received news about the international scientific competition organized at Universitas Saraswati, Bali. After further discussion, she recognized it as a valuable opportunity to strengthen her academic skills and broaden her experience—and decided to take part.
The competition process began with an internal selection at FKG UGM at the end of July. The selection was conducted offline, but since Shannon was participating in a community service program (KKN) outside Java at the time, she was granted permission to join the selection online. After successfully passing the selection, Shannon underwent several rounds of preparation and mentoring sessions with her supervising lecturers to refine her presentation materials. She then proceeded to the international competition held at Saraswati University, Bali, on 15 September 2025.
One of the main challenges Shannon faced was time management. While fulfilling her responsibilities in the KKN village, she also needed to prepare for the competition. This required strong discipline in balancing field activities, mentoring sessions, and competition preparation. Additionally, competing against students from various universities across Indonesia was another challenge, as the standard of research and presentation quality was very high. This motivated Shannon to give her best and continue learning.
Shannon was guided by Dr. drg. Alma Linggar Jonarta, M.Kes., drg. Mohammad Fadyl Yunizar, MPH., Ph.D., and drg. Ivan Arie Wahyudi, M.Kes., Ph.D.
The mentors played a crucial role—not only by providing academic guidance on content, but also by training Shannon in delivery techniques, strengthening the structure of her arguments, and preparing her to anticipate questions from the judges. Their moral support was equally meaningful, helping Shannon feel more confident competing at the international level.
This experience significantly strengthened Shannon’s academic and scientific presentation skills, while also building her confidence to continue competing internationally.
For FKG UGM, this achievement represents a tangible contribution by students in bringing honor to the faculty at the international stage. It also reflects the strong academic environment at FKG UGM, which supports student development in both research and soft skills.
One of the most memorable aspects of the event was the opportunity to interact directly with dental students from various universities in Indonesia and abroad. “We didn’t only meet as competitors, but also exchanged ideas, discussed emerging issues in dentistry, and shared academic and organizational experiences,” Shannon shared. This broadened her perspective, highlighting that every institution has its own strengths and characteristics.
Author: Andri Wicaksono | Photo: Personal Documentation by Shannon
