International Future Leaders Competition (IFLC) 2026 Successfully Held in Yogyakarta, Inspiring Young Leaders to Drive Global Innovation
Yogyakarta – Bringing together outstanding young innovators from various educational institutions, the International Future Leaders Competition (IFLC) 2026 was successfully held on July 25–26, 2026.
More than just a competition, IFLC served as an international platform for participants to showcase academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and creativity while fostering global collaboration and cultural exchange.
Organized through a collaboration between the Sentosa Foundation and the Arabic Literature Student Association of UniversitasGadjahMada, IFLC 2026 carried the theme “The Role of Young Leaders in Creating Sustainability and Driving Global Innovation.”
The event was officially opened by Yusuf Ahmad Khairiy, Secretary of the Arabic Literature Student Association of UniversitasGadjahMada, who welcomed participants and encouraged them to exchange ideas, broaden their perspectives, and build meaningful international collaborations.
In this year’s event, the International Future Leaders Competition (IFLC) featured two competition categories, namely the Essay Competition and the Business Plan Competition.
Throughout the two-day competition, finalists participated in poster exhibitions, project presentations before an international panel of judges, academic discussions, leadership development sessions, international seminars, and networking activities designed to strengthen cross-cultural collaboration and innovation.
One of the highlights of IFLC 2026 was the international seminar featuring three distinguished speakers.
Miss Aisha Juma Musa inspired participants through Empowering Future Leaders, Miss AlaaEltelwany emphasized the importance of communication skills for global competitiveness, and Almas Azzahra, Puteri Indonesia Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, concluded the seminar by highlighting the role of personal branding and self-confidence in developing future leaders.
Beyond the competition, participants experienced Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage through a cultural excursion to Sonobudoyo Museum, the iconic Prambanan Temple, and one of Yogyakarta’s renowned souvenir centers.
The excursion provided opportunities for participants to appreciate Indonesian culture while strengthening intercultural understanding and global friendships.
Based on the results of the judges’ evaluation, in the Essay Competition Category, 1st Place was awarded to the team from UniversitasLambungMangkurat, led by Elvina Reinandini.
2nd Place was awarded to Shafa Nabil Fashih, the team leader from SMA IBNU HAJAR BOARDING SCHOOL.
3rd Place was awarded to the team led by AgemanSajati Yusuf from Brawijaya University.
1st Honorable Mention was awarded to the team from UniversitasSriwijaya, led by ZahrulAdiWinata.
2nd Honorable Mention was awarded to Diva Dwi Juliana from Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, and finally, 3rd Honorable Mention was awarded to the team from BRAWIJAYA UNIVERSITY, led by Ellen Gracia Alfa Yulianto.
Meanwhile, in the Business Plan Competition Category, 1st Place was awarded to the team from the Institute of Business Information Technology and Business, led by Zivanka Gonawi.
2nd Place was awarded to the team led by Rizal Akbar from Thursina IIBS.
3rd Place was awarded to the team from Universitas Airlangga, led by SAMUEL.
1st Honorable Mention was awarded to the team led by LismaHayati from Semarang State University.
2nd Honorable Mention was awarded to the team led by Eni Widia Ningrum from Universitas Negeri Surabaya.
The Best and Favorite Awards (Essay Category) were presented as follows: Best Presentation was awarded to the team from Palangkaraya University, led by Yurin Esterina Marteti.
Best Paper was awarded to the team from PoliteknikNegeri Semarang, led by Diva Aji Sekar Asmoro Ningrum.
Best Poster was awarded to the team from UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, led by Akmal Naufal.
Favorite Paper was awarded to the team from the Indonesian University of Education, represented by Muhammad Rusydan Abdul Hadi.
The Most Favorite Poster was awarded to the team from Diponegoro University, led by KeyshasiCintanayaSakti.
The Favorite Poster Award for Each Subtheme (Essay Category) was presented to: Law, Social, and Economics (Diva Dwi Juliana – Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia), Health (ElvinaReinandini – UniversitasLambungMangkurat), Environment (Diva AjiSekarAsmoroNingrum – PoliteknikNegeri Semarang), Food (ZahrulAdiWinata – Universitas Sriwijaya), Tourism and Culture (Shafa Nabil Fashih – SMA IBNU HAJAR BOARDING SCHOOL), Education (Rachel Laurent – Brawijaya University), Agriculture (Ellen Gracia Alfa Yulianto – BRAWIJAYA UNIVERSITY), Technology (VICHA AYU PRATIWI – MAN 3 PALEMBANG).
The Best and Favorite Awards (Business Plan Category) were presented as follows: Best Presentation was awarded to the team from the Institute of Business Information Technology and Business, led by Zivanka Gonawi.
Best Paper was awarded to the team from Semarang State University, led by LismaHayati.
Best Poster was awarded to the team from Universitas Negeri Surabaya, led by Eni Widia Ningrum.
Favorite Paper was awarded to the team from Thursina IIBS, led by Rizal Akbar.
The Most Favorite Poster was awarded to the team from Universitas Negeri Surabaya, led by Eni Widia Ningrum.
The Favorite Poster Award for Each Subtheme (Business Plan Category) was presented to: Technology (ZivankaGonawi – Institute of Business Information Technology and Business), Creative Industry (Rizal Akbar – Thursina IIBS), Culinary (SAMUEL – UniversitasAirlangga), Environment (LismaHayati – Semarang State University).
The highest honor, the Grand Champion Award of IFLC 2026, was presented to Brawijaya University in recognition of its outstanding overall performance throughout the competition.
The successful implementation of IFLC 2026 reaffirmed its commitment to empowering future leaders through innovation, academic excellence, and international collaboration.
By bringing together talented young people from diverse backgrounds, IFLC continues to inspire a new generation that is prepared to address global challenges and contribute positively to society.
