UNU Jogja Pharmacy Students Win Third Place in DIY at Psycholympics 2026 e-Sports Championship

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – A team from Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), consisting of eight students from the 2024 cohort of the Pharmacy Study Program, won third place at the provincial level in the 2026 Psycholympics e-Sports Championship, held at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) on Saturday and Sunday, 31 October–1 November 2026.

The team comprised Roikhan Ziaulhaq Aula, Latip Setiawan, Ade Kurniawan, Abd. Rohman, Fachri Nauval, Ahmad Shodiq Abilawa, Ilham Hilmiawan, and Faiz Dzulfikar. They advanced to the third-place playoff after competing in several rounds, from the preliminary stage through the semifinals.

One of the team members, Roikhan Ziaulhaq Aula, explained that the team had to compete against several teams from other universities to reach the semifinals. In the preliminary round, they defeated eight teams and finished as runners-up in Group B.

“In the semifinals, we managed to win our matches, although we suffered one defeat. In the final, we faced the winner of Group A but were unable to secure a victory. We then proceeded to the third-place playoff and eventually finished in third place,” Roikhan explained.

According to him, each round presented its own challenges, as the game required strong teamwork and chemistry among players. Team coordination was one of the key factors in facing the highly competitive matches.

Balancing Competition Preparation and Academic Responsibilities

Roikhan said their participation in the competition began with their shared interest in Mobile Legends, which inspired them to pursue an achievement together. Although their academic field differs from the world of e-sports, the eight students saw the tournament as an opportunity to turn their shared interest into a collective achievement.

At the same time, their academic commitments in the Pharmacy Study Program presented a challenge during competition preparation. Despite their demanding academic schedules, they continued to prioritize their coursework and university responsibilities.

“We made sure to prioritize our academic assignments before practicing for the competition. We spent approximately one month preparing for the tournament,” he said.

Roikhan added that the team received support from the Pharmacy Study Program and its lecturers throughout the preparation and competition. One form of support came through guidance and mentoring from their lecturer, Fitri Andriani Fatimah. They also received encouragement from fellow students, both from the Pharmacy Study Program and other study programs.

Furthermore, he noted that the competition not only tested their gaming skills but also taught all eight team members how to face challenges and work together.

“This achievement has been a valuable experience for us in developing teamwork, discipline, and the ability to manage our time alongside our academic responsibilities,” Roikhan said.

UNU Jogja Pharmacy Study Program lecturer, apt. Fitri Andriani Fatimah, M. Pharm. Sci., also praised the team's achievement. She said the accomplishment demonstrates that students can develop their interests and potential beyond academics while continuing to fulfill their primary responsibilities as university students.

“Taking part in competitions like this provides students with a valuable opportunity to develop teamwork, discipline, and time-management skills. I hope this achievement will motivate them to continue developing their potential and pursue further accomplishments in various fields,” she said. []

Reporter: Latifah