The Ganesha Award proved to the academic community that the COVID-19 pandemic did not discourage ITB students from working, innovating, and achieving. They still have a solid determination to shine anywhere, even in the international arena. Ganesha Award 2021 then provided inspiration and motivation for students and the community to reach their dreams.

Vice-Rector for Academic and Student Affairs ITB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Jaka Sembiring, M.Eng., said, "ITB as an educational institution is obliged to provide a good educational atmosphere for its students." He added that ITB builds a competitive atmosphere as the responsibility and contribution to the country in the future.

Director of Student Affairs Dr. G. Prasetyo Adhitama, S.Sn., M.Sn., said that ITB always appreciates those who live up to their potential because they can be examples and inspirations. He stated three essential points that could be taken from the achievements: the love for their work, the initiative to start, and the firm determination to achieve something.

The Chief Executive of the 2021 Ganesha Award, Muhammad Al-Ghazali, explained that this event aimed to appreciate the awardees for their journey in achieving and reaching their dreams. According to this Environmental Engineering batch 2020 student, humans have the opportunity to dream and achieve it. However, humans sometimes do not know how to achieve it. Ghazali also expressed his gratitude for being allowed to be the chairman of this event.

This year's Ganesha Award is divided into several fields, including Ganesha Perkasa (sports field), Ganesha Karya (work and innovative field), Ganesha Rasa (art, culture, and religion), and Ganesha Karsa (scientific and social field).

Some of the recipients attended the Aula Barat to receive certificates and souvenirs from WRAM and the Director of Student Affairs. Meanwhile, Ganesha Award recipients who could not come to Aula Barat received the award virtually.

Besides awarding session, there were two talk show sessions with fascinating themes. Prof. Jaka delivered the first talk show under the "Balancing Academics and Nonacademics Matters" theme.

He said academic activities are required, but not enough. That is why non-academic activities are equally important. Although academic activities at ITB are pretty busy, as a student, you must manage your time well so that academic and non-academic activities are balanced. He emphasized that students do activities they like so that they enjoy and do not feel exhausted.

At the end of the discussion, Prof. Jaka advised maintaining every achievement. "Believe me, it is considered as worship. It also automatically gives a positive resonance to the environment," he added.

Ilham Subandoro and Angelica Williana charged the second talk show. Ilham won 1st place at the 2021 Ganesha Prize, while Angelica took second place. The talk show had the "Unleashing Your Full Potential As a Student" theme. Ilham said that his motivation to excel is excellent ITB alumni whom ITB always appreciates. He is also supported by friends and the SBM ITB, who always guides the students.

According to him, the problems he often faced when participating in competitions or other activities were finance; difficulty in dividing his time with college; and periods of demotivation and exhaustion when he was defeated. However, this 2019 ITB Management student constantly evaluates himself and asks for advice from many parties if anything does not work.

Angelica Wiliana, a 2018 Biological Engineering student, said that her motivation to excel is curiosity. She continually learns new things and loves to meet new people. The opportunity to go to college that not everyone gets also makes her enthusiastic about making achievements.

Like Ilham, Angelica struggled to keep up with the competition, especially for a competition where the registration fee was quite expensive. She admitted that she had to teach to get extra pocket money. However, Angelica never regretted anything that she had been done. "During the mental breakdown, I try to remember how I got here," she added.

At the end of the event, the Ganesha Prize was awarded for outstanding students from each faculty/school. Some of the awardees received awards in person at the Aula Barat.

Congratulations to all the recipients of the 2021 Ganesha Award. Hopefully, it can be an inspiration and motivation for other students and the wider community.

Reporter: Hanan Fadhilah Ramadhani (Civil Engineering, 2021)
Translator: Zahra Annisa Fitri (Urban and Regional Planning, 2019)