Diah Fitria Widhinigsih, a lecturer from the Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has once again brought international pride to the university. She was honored with the Amabel Fulton APEN Award for Excellence in Extension in the Young Professional (under 35) category at the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN) International Conference, held on October 14–16, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia.
This prestigious award recognizes Fitria’s dedication to agricultural extension since 2018. As both an academic and practitioner, she has been actively involved in various extension activities through the Agricultural Extension and Communication Study Program at UGM and is also the founder of Rumah Ilmu Bercak Pustaka, a community-based reading and learning center (TBM) in Sleman, Yogyakarta.
Together with a team of volunteers, Fitria has developed a wide range of educational initiatives for children, youth, and adults, including an integrative program that introduces the world of agriculture to young learners while cultivating essential soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication. Her dedication in this field previously earned her recognition at the World Water Forum.
In 2022, together with her team at Bercak Pustaka, Fitria successfully secured funding from the Pertamina Foundation as one of its Young Leaders. Under her coordination, the program focused on household and agricultural waste management involving women in her village. The initiative continues to this day, now sustained by local youth as Fitria pursues her studies in Australia.
Her long-standing commitment to agricultural extension led to her nomination for the Amabel Fulton Award by a colleague in Australia. Following a rigorous selection process, she was selected as the award recipient. During the APEN International Conference, Fitria also presented her research conducted in collaboration with a lecturer from the University of Queensland, focusing on local leadership among banana farmers, as well as a poster presentation with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) on gender roles in decision-making within banana farming systems in Yogyakarta.
Fitria shared that attending the APEN Conference was an eye-opening experience, providing her with valuable insights into agricultural extension practices from different parts of the world. The event also offered opportunities to network with international researchers and extension professionals who share the same vision of advancing agricultural extension for sustainable development.
This remarkable achievement not only represents a personal milestone but also reinforces the reputation of the Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics, UGM, as a leading institution committed to advancing agricultural extension education and research on a global scale.
The achievements and initiatives of Diah Fitria Widhinigsih align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 4 (Quality Education): Through educational programs at Rumah Ilmu Bercak Pustaka, Fitria promotes inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
- SDG 5 (Gender Equality): The involvement of women in waste management programs demonstrates her commitment to empowering women in rural communities.
- SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The initiative encourages sustainable agricultural practices and responsible waste management to minimize environmental impact.
Author: Adhika Hafizh Prasada, S.P.
Admin of the Website for the Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM