Dhea Praja Gupta, a student at the Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) from the Class of 2023, has achieved a remarkable distinction in the 2025 UGM Outstanding Student Selection (Pemilihan Mahasiswa Berprestasi/Pilmapres). She secured second place in the Undergraduate category, competing against 37 other participants. The result was officially announced on Saturday, March 22. Prior to reaching this level, Dhea had already been named the top Outstanding Student (Mahasiswa Berprestasi 1) at the Faculty of Law UGM.
The 2025 Pilmapres selection involved two main stages: assessment of a Creative Proposal (Gagasan Kreatif/GK) and evaluation of Outstanding Achievements (Capaian Unggulan/CU). In the Outstanding Achievements stage, Dhea presented a portfolio of accomplishments spanning a wide range of categories — from competitions and formal recognition, to her body of work, organizational leadership roles, and humanitarian or community empowerment activities.
In the Creative Proposal stage, she developed an idea rooted in her academic discipline, oriented toward the Asta Cita framework and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her proposal was titled "Blue Economy and Blue Justice: Evaluasi Kebijakan Penangkapan Ikan Terukur (PIT) dalam Mewujudkan Keadilan Intragenerasi dan Intergenerasi di Indonesia" (Blue Economy and Blue Justice: Evaluating the Measured Fishing Capture Policy in Achieving Intra- and Intergenerational Justice in Indonesia).
According to Dhea, the regulations governing Measured Fishing Capture (Penangkapan Ikan Terukur/PIT), as set out in Government Regulation No. 11 of 2023, still contain a number of legal gaps. Among these is the potential marginalization of small-scale fishers, and a lack of sustainability perspective in the implementation of the PIT policy.
Dhea's motivation for entering Pilmapres stems from a desire to inspire others and to make her parents and the UGM Faculty of Law proud. For her, the courage to try is the first step toward achievement — regardless of the outcome. She believes that every sincere effort brings valuable lessons and opens greater doors of opportunity for the future.
"As a student from the Class of 2023, I know my experience may not match that of other participants. But I believe that hard work and consistency can take us this far."
Dhea Praja Gupta's achievement at Pilmapres UGM 2025 is closely connected to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in several important ways. Her creative proposal on Blue Economy and Blue Justice directly supports SDG 14 (Life Below Water), which emphasizes the sustainable conservation and use of marine resources. By evaluating the Measured Fishing Capture (PIT) policy, Dhea endeavors to ensure that fisheries regulation in Indonesia is not solely growth-oriented, but also attentive to the welfare of small-scale fishers (SDG 1: No Poverty) and to environmental sustainability for future generations (SDG 13: Climate Action).
Her achievement in Pilmapres also speaks to the role of quality education (SDG 4: Quality Education) in producing students who are critical, innovative, and committed to national development. Her dedication in academic, research, and social spheres likewise reflects a commitment to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) — which emphasizes inclusive and equitable policy. Dhea's achievement is therefore not only a source of pride; it is a concrete example of how students can contribute to the SDGs through scholarship and innovation.
Author: Delegation of the Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FH UGM)
