Another proud achievement was brought home by Naufal Ragil Praditya, a 2024 student of the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Language and Culture, after winning 1st place at the 4th Central Java Japanese Language Presentation Contest.
The competition, organized by the Japanese Language Education Study Program of Semarang State University (UNNES) in collaboration with The Japan Foundation, was held online via Zoom and featured participants from various universities across Central Java.
Interestingly, Naufal was originally selected as one of the potential delegates for the Kanji Cup this year. However, he decided to take on a new challenge by participating in the Japanese Language Presentation Contest (Happyou) instead a decision that proved to be the right one.
In preparation for the contest, Naufal carefully chose a presentation topic that he was deeply familiar with and closely aligned with the competition’s theme. He then conducted research, developed his ideas into a well-structured script, and refined his delivery through multiple rounds of practice.
One of the most challenging aspects of the competition, according to him, was the direct Q&A session with the judges, where participants had to respond to spontaneous and in-depth questions about their presentation topics. The experience tested not only his fluency but also his ability to think critically under pressure.
On the competition day, Naufal remained calm and focused, aiming simply to deliver his best rather than setting high expectations. His composure and clear articulation paid off, earning him the first-place title and the opportunity to represent Central Java at the national level.
“I didn’t expect much, but of course I was really happy when I found out I won first place and would represent Central Java at the national level,” Naufal said.
Looking ahead, Naufal remains humble yet optimistic. He shared that he hopes to perform his best at the upcoming national round and continue to improve as a presenter and Japanese language learner.
“If I win and get the chance to go to Japan, that would be amazing,” he added.
Through his achievement, Naufal has shown that success often comes from the courage to explore new opportunities and step beyond one’s comfort zone. His journey reflects the strong academic spirit of Diponegoro University’s Japanese Language and Culture students, who continue to bring pride to the department through their dedication and passion for learning.
Naufal’s story reminds us that every setback can become a stepping stone toward greater success. By daring to take a new path, he not only achieved personal growth but also inspired his peers to keep striving for excellence. The department proudly looks forward to his next journey at the national level and perhaps, one day, to Japan.