M. Naufal, M. Ihsan, and Ahmad Helmi Yasir Win Second Place in the 2026 Lawphoria National Essay Competition in Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta – A team of students from Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), consisting of three students from various study programs and faculties, won second place in the National Essay Competition at Lawphoria 2026, held by the Faculty of Law, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta (UMY), from December 12, 2025, to January 21, 2026.
The team consists of Muhammad Naufal (Environmental Engineering Study Program), Muhammad Ihsan (Forestry Study Program), and Ahmad Helmi Yasir (Statistics Study Program). The three collaborated to present a work entitled “SPATIAL-LEX,” a spatial analysis-based environmental law transformation model that integrates statistics, environmental engineering, and forestry to address the problems of deforestation and flooding in Indonesia.
Muhammad Naufal explained that the idea arose from the team’s desire to provide applicable, cross-disciplinary solutions.
“We created a project called SPATIAL-LEX, a spatial-based analysis to help solve the problems of deforestation and flooding in Indonesia. This was my first experience participating in a national essay competition, and I am very proud to have been able to represent ULM at the national level,” he said.
The SPATIAL-LEX project was considered to offer an innovative approach because it not only addressed environmental issues from a technical perspective but also linked them to spatial data-based legal transformation. Muhammad Ihsan stated that interdisciplinary collaboration was the team’s main strength.
“We designed SPATIAL-LEX as a model for environmental legal transformation based on statistics and spatial analysis, combined with environmental and forestry engineering. We hope this model can assist in the formulation and evaluation of environmental regulations in Indonesia,” he explained.
This achievement is all the more remarkable considering the very limited preparation time. The team only learned about the competition in early January 2026 and had to complete their essay in only about four days. After being declared finalists, they were again faced with the challenge of preparing a presentation within a very short timeframe.
Ahmad Helmi Yasir revealed that the limited time actually strengthened the team’s solidarity.
“The process was very challenging due to the tight deadline. We sacrificed sleep and worked from day to night. But that fostered solid teamwork and increased writing creativity,” he said.
Throughout the process, the team also received guidance from their academic advisors, both in essay writing and presentation preparation. The support of the ULM institution was also very helpful, especially after the announcement of the finalists and the final in Yogyakarta. The synergy between students, lecturers, and the institution is a crucial foundation for fostering national achievements.
Muhammad Ihsan admitted he didn’t expect to reach the podium in this national competition.
“This is my first time qualifying for a national essay competition and immediately winning second place. The preparation was short, but because we were a team, we overcame all the challenges together,” he said.
The highlight of the team’s journey came when the winner was announced. Ahmad Helmi Yasir described the moment as the culmination of the entire process and sacrifices.
“When the award ceremony was held and ULM was announced as the runner-up, it was the proudest moment. This is the culmination of all our efforts, and we are very proud to be the delegates from Lambung Mangkurat University,” he said.
This achievement of second place in the National Essay Competition underscores Lambung Mangkurat University’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthening the culture of research and scientific writing, and developing student achievement. ULM continues to strive to create a conducive academic ecosystem so that achievements like these can not only be maintained but also continuously improved.
Through this achievement, ULM hopes that more students will be inspired to compete, hone their critical thinking, and present innovative solutions to national problems. Lambung Mangkurat University is optimistic that with continued support and a spirit of collaboration, ULM students will continue to advance and bring honor to the institution at the national and international levels.
Writer: Ajeng Mona Anggraeni
Editor: Andhika Dwitya Okdhiantara
Photo: M. Naufal, M. Ihsan, Ahmad Helmi Yasir
