ITB Student Team Wins VOSICO 2025 with GIS-Based MBG Distribution Innovation
By Indira Akmalia Hendri - Mahasiswa Perencanaan Wilayah dan Kota, 2021
Editor M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – A team of Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) students, known as the Lumba Team, secured third place in the Volcano Scientific Competition (VOSICO) 2025, a national-level student scientific writing competition. Organized by the Geography Department Student Association of Universitas Negeri Malang, the competition's final round was held offline on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Ki Hajar Dewantara Hall, Universitas Negeri Malang.
The Lumba Team comprises three students from ITB's 2023 Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering program: Anugrah Arya Muhajir, Wulan Larisa Olivia, and Firzatullah Al Ghiffari. Addressing a strategic issue related to Indonesia's national Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, the team proposed a geospatial technology-based approach to overcome food distribution challenges in Sumedang Regency.
In the competition, themed "Strategies and Innovations to Enhance Sustainable Food Security for the Welfare of Indonesian Society," the Lumba Team presented their work titled "Analysis of Effective Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Distribution Routes Using a Geographic Information System Based on Proximity to Agricultural Areas in Sumedang Regency, West Java."
By utilizing QGIS software, they mapped food distribution routes from agricultural land to public high schools in Sumedang. Spatial analysis was conducted using buffer and network analysis methods to ensure efficient and timely distribution.
"The theme is highly relevant to real-world issues, especially since the MBG program still faces technical distribution hurdles. With our background in geospatial fields, we aimed to provide data-driven solutions," said Wulan Larisa Olivia.
Interestingly, the Lumba Team's journey to the podium was not smooth from the outset. Their work was initially delayed while participating in a similar competition at another university due to academic and organizational commitments. However, driven by a desire to complete their stalled project, they discovered the VOSICO competition, whose theme was relevant, and decided to register.
Despite very limited preparation time, they effectively divided tasks, conducted consultations with a lecturer two days prior, and practiced their presentation one day before the competition. This simple yet focused strategy proved effective in helping them achieve their accomplishment.
"Our key to success was our keen eye for strategic issues, an approach suited to our field, and, of course, complementary team collaboration," explained Firzatullah Al Ghiffari.
Anugrah Arya Muhajir added a message for fellow students, "Don't be afraid to enter competitions even if you feel unprepared. Use competitions as a means to learn and grow. What matters isn't the final result, but how we can develop through the experience."
The Lumba Team's success stands as clear evidence of ITB students' contribution to providing innovative, knowledge-based solutions that are relevant and directly impactful to society.
Reporter: Indira Akmalia Hendri (Urban and Regional Planning, 2021)
Translator: Atika Widya Nurfaizah (Postharvest Technology, 2021)
