Semarang, November 14, 2023 – The Department of Geodesy Engineering’s Team Bajo Satoru from the Faculty of Engineering at Diponegoro University has emerged as the winner of the prestigious GreenHack Challenge 2023 – Biodiversity and Ecotourism App Hackathon, clinching the top spot with their exceptional performance. The competition, supported by ESRI, was organized by the Department of Forest Resource Conservation and Ecotourism (KSHE) of the Faculty of Forestry at IPB as part of the 2023 Independent Campus Program.
The final judging occurred on November 10, 2023, when Team Bajo Satoru showcased their innovative project amid stiff competition. From twenty-seven teams, only six of the best projects advanced to the final presentation, with Team Bajo Satoru emerging as the main winner. They outperformed teams from renowned institutions such as UGM, IPB, and even participants from Nigeria.
The competition was held online, allowing Team Bajo Satoru to compete globally. The team members, consisting of Citra Hadi Saputri, Ricko Prihantama Putra, Alif Marwan Hadid, William Gozali, Ulfah Durrotul Hikmah, Zulvalindan WIrayuda Suryaningprang, Daniella Evita, and Eka Ramadhan, all of whom are students from the 2020 cohort, successfully presented outstanding innovations in ecotourism and conservation.
Spatial Innovation in Ecotourism and Technology
Team Bajo Satoru responded to the challenge by creating a web app developed using ESRI technology. The project titled “Tobi: Tales of Wakatobi (Web App-Based Digital Interpreter: Immersing in Empathy and Exploring Wakatobi’s Ecotourism Through the Eyes of the Bajo Tribe).” This web app is their interpretive approach aimed at enhancing ecotourism in Wakatobi, based on the principle: “Through Interpretation, Understanding; Through Understanding, Appreciation; Through Appreciation, Protection.”
The web application utilizes various geospatial technologies, including GIS, such as ArcMap, ArcGIS Experience Builder, ArcGIS Storymaps, ArcGIS Dashboard, ArcGIS Webmap, ArcGIS Survey123, ArcGIS Quick Capture, and Google Earth Engine. This comprehensive platform promotes ecotourism and raises environmental awareness by fostering empathy. The development process lasted approximately a month and was guided by our lecturer, Dr. Firman Hadi, S.Si, M.T. We also received valuable insights from the Bajo Tribe President, Dr. Abdul Manan, as well as collaborating with Bajo community development researchers and activists, Mr. Amar Maruf. This collaboration added depth and a positive impact to the project.
Significance of the GreenHack Challenge
The GreenHack Challenge aims to create breakthroughs in the sustainable economy sector in Indonesia by integrating technology into conservation and ecotourism practices. Using tools such as drones, smart sensor networks, big data, advanced data analytics, and online monitoring platforms, the competition aims to promote smart technology-based management to preserve Indonesia’s natural heritage.
Acknowledgment and Recognition
The victory of Team Bajo Satoru was judged by an esteemed panel of judges, including Mrs. Canserina Kurnia, Senior Solution Engineer at Esri Inc., and Ms. An Nisaa Citra Hasanah, Solution Engineer at Esri Indonesia, as well as Prof. Lilik Budi Prasetyo, an expert in Landscape Ecology, Remote Sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from IPB. Their expertise and perspectives added credibility to the competition, highlighting the significance of Team Bajo Satoru’s achievement.
Congratulations to Team Bajo Satoru for this remarkable achievement. May this inspiring story catalyze other students to innovate, create sustainable solutions, and carve out great achievements for Indonesia. The success of Team Bajo Satoru not only raises the name of Diponegoro University but also illustrates the great potential of Indonesian students in facing global challenges in conservation and ecotourism. The success of Team Bajo Satoru in the GreenHack Challenge 2023 is a testament to the extraordinary talent and dedication of the Department of Geodesy Engineering at Diponegoro University.
(Writer: Ulfah Durrotul Hikmah, translated by Firman Hadi)
