Dylan Arlen Tunggatama (Actuarial 2020) achieved outstanding results at the KB Solveathon 2023, organized by Kookmin Bank (KB) Financial Group. The competition, organized by KB Financial Group in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Seoul, commemorates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Indonesia.
The competition is divided into two leagues, namely Korean League and Indonesian League. As the name suggests, it combines the words solve (memecahkan) dan marathon (marathon), this series of competitions requires participants to conduct presentations and debates for approximately 42 hours, like a marathon, in order to formulate the best solution for KB Financial Group’s future financial strategy, both in their home country and in Indonesia.
There were approximately 300 participants from across Indonesia who participated in the event. In the preliminary round Indonesian League In the Solveathon competition which started on June 5, 2023, participants were asked to submit ideas individually by sending proposals in PowerPoint presentation format that could focus on two things, namely efforts to improve awareness about KB Bank in Indonesia or identifying the shortcomings of KB Bukopin, as a subsidiary of KB Financial Group in Indonesia.
From the preliminary round, 16 participants were selected on June 15, 2023, including Dylan himself, to then depart for South Korea on July 4, 2023. While in Seoul, Dylan and 15 other selected participants competed directly in the semifinal round. In that round, the semifinalists were grouped into four teams formed to design new ideas to be debated during the round. Finally, the two best teams, including Dylan and his friends, managed to advance to the final round which was held on July 13 and 14, 2023 at the KB Financial Group headquarters located in Yeouido, Seoul, South Korea.
In participating in the competition, Dylan offered an innovative program that combined the implementation of study-work program with the establishment and development of communities. In short, the innovative program offered by Dylan in the competition can actively involve students so that it can improve awareness towards financial literacy, especially KB Bank in Indonesia through education on campuses.
“The focus of the innovation I’m offering is unique. This is because I focus on innovation in the educational sector as a window into solutions, unlike most other participants who tend to focus on digital and modern solutions,” said Dylan.
One important factor that motivated Dylan to participate in the Solveathon competition was his desire to visit South Korea. According to Dylan, he first discovered information about the Solveathon competition while browsing Instagram. The opportunity to visit South Korea was a real treat. fully-funded The business competition offered by the competition was very appealing to him, especially since Dylan frequently participates in business competitions. He certainly didn’t waste this golden opportunity, and he was determined to complete his presentation, both a PowerPoint presentation and a video, containing his ideas in just two days.
However, Dylan’s participation in the Solveathon competition was not without its challenges. According to Dylan, there were several things that posed challenges for him during the competition, namely the relatively short completion time for the innovation project and the language barrier while in South Korea. Furthermore, the business competition format involving debate was also new for him, as it required adaptation and the ability to formulate arguments quickly. Another striking difference that Dylan felt in participating in a business competition with a debate format was that while business competitions usually only focus on analyzing one’s own ideas, this time he also had to analyze the ideas offered by his opponents.
At the end of the interview, Dylan also shared the many benefits he gained from participating in competitions like the KB Solveathon. Besides helping him realize his dream of visiting South Korea, he also learned a lot about critical and logical thinking and how to quickly construct arguments. For Dylan, these kinds of competitions also allow for individual growth in a competitive environment. Dylan also advised his fellow FMIPA UI students that his journey is proof that no dream is too big. With determination and passion, even dreams initially considered too high can become a reality.
KB Solveathon 2023 is a business competition by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) Seoul in collaboration with KB Financial Group and the Korean Debate Organization. KB Solveathon 2023 is held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Indonesia. Registration is open from April 5 to May 31, 2023. The elimination round will be announced via telephone directly from the committee on June 15, 2023. Departure to Korea will be on July 4, 2023. The semifinal and final rounds will take place on July 13, 2023. Finally, the winners will be announced live at the KB Bank Seoul Building on the same day as the semifinal and final rounds.
