The atrium of Mal SKA Pekanbaru was filled with excitement on 15 February 2026 as Kepolisian Daerah Riau (Polda Riau) announced the winners of the Green Policing Speech Competition 2026. Among the university finalists, Edi Sahputra, a student of Universitas Terbuka (UT), secured first place for presenting one of the most compelling and solution-oriented ideas addressing environmental challenges in Riau. 

The competition, themed “Youth Action for a Clean, Safe, and Sustainable Environment,” ran from 14 January to 3 February 2026 and involved 102 participants from 11 provinces, including high school and university students. Contestants delivered speeches analyzing critical issues such as forest fires, deforestation, and environmental preservation. In the university category, Edi outperformed finalists from several prominent institutions, demonstrating strong analytical and persuasive skills. 

During the event, speakers highlighted alarming data showing that Riau’s forest area has declined by approximately 75 percent over the past decade due to fires and deforestation. This concern underpins the Green Policing initiative, which promotes preventive measures such as reforestation and long-term conservation efforts rather than focusing solely on fire suppression. 

Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan praised the active participation of young people, emphasizing that environmental protection requires collective responsibility and early intervention. 

Edi’s achievement reflects the role of higher education institutions in nurturing socially responsible and solution-driven graduates. Through its flexible learning system, UT continues to support students in developing both academic excellence and civic engagement, contributing to broader goals of quality education and climate action.