Banjarmasin, October 4, 2025 – Achievement is not just about medals; it is also about recognition. Universitas Terbuka (UT) Banjarmasin proved this by granting a scholarship to Anas Rullah, a new student in the Law Study Program who successfully won a silver medal in the Wushu branch at the National Student Sports Week (Pomnas) XIX 2025 in Semarang.
This step by UT Banjarmasin is concrete evidence of the university’s commitment to always support, accommodate, and appreciate students who excel in both academic and non-academic fields. “We provide scholarships to students or athletes who successfully achieve top-three national rankings—1st, 2nd, and 3rd place,” said the Director of UT Banjarmasin, M. Priono.
Anas’s achievement is a source of pride. As a first-semester student, he immediately made his mark on the national stage. Not only did he bring honor to UT, but he also made South Kalimantan known in the student sports arena. Out of the six athletes sent by UT Banjarmasin to this Pomnas, Anas successfully contributed the silver medal, which is significant for the university.
However, Priono reminded the students that victory is not the end of the journey. “Alhamdulillah, one of them succeeded in getting 2nd place. But we remind students not to become complacent. Studies and discipline remain the top priority,” he advised.
Behind this achievement, Anas’s journey is colorful. Before dedicating himself to Wushu, he was familiar with martial arts through Pencak Silat, even achieving various provincial-level championships. In POMNAS 2025, he had to pass tight preliminary rounds, advanced to the semi-finals by defeating an athlete from Banten, and then faced a tough opponent from North Sumatra in the final. “I won by points against Banten and managed to knock out the opponent from North Sumatra,” he proudly recounted.
Even though he only brought home a silver medal, Anas’s determination did not stop. Instead, he committed to going further, targeting achievements at national and international levels. “My future target is certainly to win gold and bring greater recognition to the campus and the region,” he affirmed.
The scholarship appreciation from UT Banjarmasin is not just a prize but a symbol of the university’s presence as a home that fully supports student potential. This aligns with the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. Through this policy, UT Banjarmasin provides fair opportunities for students with talents in various fields, ensuring that non-academic achievements are given the same importance as academic ones.
Amid the increasingly competitive challenges of higher education, UT Banjarmasin shows that student success must be celebrated together. This appreciation is expected to motivate other students not to be afraid to dream and achieve, whether in the classroom, laboratory, or sports arena.
UT Banjarmasin’s action also serves as an example that an open and inclusive university can produce superior talents who contribute to both the local community and the nation. In this way, UT continues to affirm itself as a university that truly opens access to education and paves the way for the big dreams of its students.
