GORONTALO — Efforts to preserve regional languages must begin by developing the habit of using them in everyday life, particularly among younger generations. Driven by this spirit, Universitas Terbuka (UT) Gorontalo has initiated a Gorontalo language quiz competition for senior high school students and their equivalents throughout Gorontalo Province. The competition serves as a platform to introduce the regional language and foster appreciation for it.
The event, scheduled to take place on November 20–22, 2026, has received support from the Government of Gorontalo Province. This support was expressed by Gorontalo Deputy Governor Idah Syahidah during a meeting with representatives of UT Gorontalo on Saturday (October 31, 2026). During the meeting, UT Gorontalo also sought support from the regional government in promoting the event to all senior high schools and their equivalents to reach more participants.
Idah welcomed the initiative. According to her, the continued use of regional languages depends greatly on the willingness of younger generations to keep speaking them. Without developing the habit from an early age, regional languages risk being used less frequently and gradually abandoned.
“We must preserve the Gorontalo language. We must not let our children stop using it. If they are not accustomed to speaking it, this regional language could eventually disappear,” Idah said.
She hopes the competition will serve not merely as a contest but also as an opportunity for students to become familiar with, understand, and develop the habit of using the Gorontalo language. Through an educational and competitive approach, the preservation of regional languages is expected to become an engaging activity for younger generations.
In addition to discussing plans for the competition, Idah also appreciated UT Gorontalo’s contribution to expanding public access to higher education. UT’s presence is considered to provide broader opportunities for people to pursue higher education through a flexible learning system that reaches various regions.
The collaboration between UT Gorontalo and the Government of Gorontalo Province also reflects contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.
Through this initiative, UT Gorontalo is not only working to expand access to education but also contributing to the preservation of the regional language as part of Gorontalo’s identity and cultural heritage.
