As the lights dim on the final “TechMan Day” exhibition of 2025, a profound wave of exhaustion washes over us—but it is the good kind, the kind that comes from leaving absolutely everything on the floor. Looking back, this wasn’t just another event; it was the culmination of a relentless year-long marathon where we sought to exploit advanced technology across every major and faculty. We often joke that going big is “just our thing,” but living up to that identity requires a physical and mental toll that is hard to describe until you are in the thick of it. Yet, standing here at the finish line, the overwhelming sentiment is one of relief and immense pride. We didn’t just survive the year; we ended it with a resounding statement of intent. We are tired, yes, but we are also buzzing with an excitement that is already looking forward to what we can achieve next year.

The energy today was transformative, largely thanks to the 10th, 11th, and 12th graders who joined our open booths. It wasn’t just about display; it was about connection. We had the privilege of hosting brief workshops, guiding these young minds as we unveiled our newest innovations: the “STEMBERRY BINUS Computer Engineering Battlebot Workshop” and “Brix,” our own geeky, binarized twist on the famous Wordle game. Watching the students engage with these creations—seeing that spark of understanding and curiosity—reminded us why we do this. We even managed to slip in a sneak peek of a little “something-something” for next year, just to keep the anticipation simmering. The joy was mutual; the barrier between exhibitor and exhibitee dissolved into a shared enthusiasm for discovery.

Beneath the fun and the flash, however, lies a deeper reason why this successful finish feels so vital. To feel capable in this field is a hard-earned victory. Making electronics—wrangling with micro-detailed products where a single millimeter or a line of code can determine success or failure—is not an easy task. It is a discipline of patience, often accompanied by long hours of frustration and genuine fatigue. There is a grit required to turn abstract ideas into physical, working machines. Finishing this series strong validates that struggle. It proves that despite the difficulty, we have the resilience to deliver, and that feeling of competence is perhaps the best reward of all.

Finally, we must acknowledge that we did not walk this path alone. A heartfelt thank you is due to the BINUS Marketing and Promotional team, who have been with us every step of the way this year. You amplified our efforts and ensured our hard work found its audience. Thank you for the support, for handling the logistics so we could focus on the engineering, and for helping us close this chapter on such a high note. We are signing off for 2025 exhausted but fulfilled, ready to rest up and return with even bigger ideas. Here is to a year well fought, and to the future that awaits.

And for all of us, here at CompEng BINUS. I’ll bid you ado…