Jakarta. A student from Universitas Pelita Harapan has secured top honors at one of Indonesia’s most prestigious academic competitions, marking a significant milestone in her academic journey and innovation in healthcare.

Tiffney Tyara Setyoko, a 2023 medical student, was named First Place Winner at the 2026 Regional Selection of Outstanding Students (PILMAPRES) for LLDIKTI Region III. The competition, held on April 29–30 at the Griya Legita Auditorium of Pertamina University, featured 15 finalists representing leading universities across Jakarta and surrounding areas.

With this achievement, Tiffney will represent both UPH and LLDIKTI Region III at the national level of PILMAPRES 2026.

PILMAPRES is widely regarded as a benchmark for student excellence in Indonesia, evaluating participants not only on academic performance, but also on critical thinking, innovation, and global communication skills. Finalists undergo rigorous assessments covering creative ideas, outstanding achievements, and English proficiency.

Tiffney stood out through her innovative healthcare solution, presenting a concept titled “Smart Febrile Patch Based on Multi-Biomarkers (Temperature, pH, Lactate) for Early Screening of Infectious Disease Severity.” Her idea addresses a critical gap in early detection of infection-related conditions, particularly in community settings.

“Fever is often the first sign of infection, but many people lack objective parameters to assess whether their condition is still mild or already critical,” Tiffney said. “This can lead to delays in treatment and irrational use of antibiotics.”

Her proposed solution is a non-invasive wearable sensor that monitors physiological biomarkers through sweat in real time. By measuring body temperature, sweat pH, and lactate levels, the Smart Febrile Patch aims to provide early indicators of inflammation, physiological instability, and potential progression to severe conditions.

The innovation was inspired in part by public health challenges in Tangerang Regency, where infection cases remain significant and early detection tools are limited. Tiffney hopes her concept can empower communities with accessible, data-driven insights to support faster and more accurate medical decisions.

Beyond her creative project, Tiffney also demonstrated excellence in her portfolio of achievements and English communication skills. As part of the competition, she presented sustainability-related topics aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including environmental protection and public health.

Reflecting on her journey, Tiffney described the competition as both academically and personally transformative.

“The preparation process was intense. It required not only developing a strong idea, but also improving presentation skills and deepening subject knowledge. It taught me discipline, resilience, and how to think critically about real-world problems,” she said.

Looking ahead to the national stage, Tiffney plans to further refine her project and strengthen her academic profile, including participating in international competitions to enhance her experience and evaluation points.

UPH leadership expressed appreciation and pride for Tiffney’s accomplishment. Dr. Andry M. Panjaitan, Associate Vice President for Student Development, Alumni and Corporate Relations at UPH, said:

“We are grateful and proud of Tiffney’s outstanding achievement. Her success at the regional PILMAPRES reflects the quality of education and character development consistently fostered at UPH. We are committed to building a holistic educational ecosystem that empowers students to go beyond academic and non-academic limits. Through structured development, we aim to prepare talents to become future leaders with integrity, real impact, and a higher purpose,” he said.

This achievement underscores UPH’s dedication to nurturing future leaders who are excellent, innovative, and impactful. Through a spirit of service, students are prepared to contribute meaningfully to society.

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