Baznas Scholarship Recipient Brings National Pride with Ketapang Briquette Innovation

A student receiving the Cendekia Baznas scholarship, Ulinnuha Aqwa, has secured second place in the 15th International Invention, Innovation & Design Competition (Indes) 2026 in Malaysia. The Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) student achieved the honour in the Business Plan category with an innovation called Keta-Briq, an eco-friendly biochar briquette made from waste ketapang fruit and infused with basil aroma to repel insects. Ulinnuha recounted facing difficult phases and a loss of motivation during the competition process, but strong commitment and full support from family became the decisive factors that kept his spirits high. Idy Muzayyad, Head of Distribution, Utilisation, and Empowerment at Baznas RI, stated that this achievement demonstrates that young people mentored by Baznas possess high competitiveness and can bring Indonesia’s name to the global stage. He noted that the prestigious competition, organised by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak, serves as a stage to prove that valueless local waste can be transformed into a sustainable alternative energy solution. Idy Muzayyad added that this success also proves that zakat funds managed through scholarship programmes can produce independent, solution-oriented young innovators ready to become drivers of a sustainable economy in the future.