Closing Medan Coding Competition, Rico Waas Emphasises the Role of Technology

Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas asserted that technology must be understood as more than just a supporting tool, but as an instrument to deliver solutions to various life challenges, including public services and youth development.

The statement was delivered by Rico while closing the Medan Coding Competition 2026 at the Auditorium of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) on Saturday (9/5).

“Technology creates solutions,” he said.

According to Rico, technological advancements arise from human needs to simplify problem-solving. He exemplified the shift in communication methods, from letters that took days to instant messages now received in seconds.

Technological progress, he continued, has also transformed various sectors, from the workforce to government. The use of presentation devices, previously reliant on projectors, is now shifting to interactive screens. The COVID-19 pandemic, he said, further accelerated technological adaptation through the trend of virtual meetings.

In the Medan City Government environment, Rico Waas stated that they are continuously promoting the use of technology to bring services closer to the community, including through app-based reporting channels and instant messaging.

“All problems now we try to solve through technology,” he said in front of hundreds of participants.

Rico Waas also highlighted changes in the aspirations of the younger generation. If previously children aspired to conventional professions, now many want to become programmers, e-sports players, and startup founders.

In fact, according to him, children are already familiar with the concept of artificial intelligence (AI).

Therefore, he considers the ability to adapt to AI as important, especially for the younger generation who will lead Indonesia in the future. However, he reminded that the use of technology must remain aligned with national values, culture, and religion.

According to Rico Waas, the City of Medan has great potential in producing digital talents. This event serves as an initial step to build the confidence of the younger generation to compete at the global level.

“The future is not to be waited for, but created by our own hands,” said Rico Waas.

The event is a collaboration between the Medan City Government through BRIDA, IWAPI Medan, and UMSU. A total of 632 participants from various educational levels joined the competition. At the elementary school level, there were 133 participants from grades 1-3 and 158 from grades 4-6. The junior high school level had 166 participants.

Meanwhile, the high school/vocational level included the e-sports category with 50 participants and robotics competition with 28 participants. For the university level, it consisted of the Internet of Things (IoT) competition with 40 participants and mobile apps with 57 participants.

Rico Waas assessed the high participation as a positive signal for Indonesia’s future. “If in the past we talked about coding competitions, children might not have been aware. Now they are ready,” he said.

On the same occasion, the Chairman of the Daily Supervisory Board (BPH) of UMSU, Agussani, stated that he had handed over the position of Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara on 28 April 2026 to Prof. Dr. Akrim for the 2026-2030 period.

Now he is entrusted by the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah as Chairman of BPH UMSU, with the task of supervising and ensuring the institution’s sustainability.

He revealed plans for international collaboration following his visit to Perlis, Malaysia. During the visit, UMSU established communication with Universiti Malaysia Perlis, which focuses on digital fields, including opportunities for cooperation representatives in North Sumatra.

“This aligns with the Mayor’s programme concentrating on the digital field,” he said.

The climax of the closing event was the announcement and awarding of prizes. The atmosphere became increasingly joyful and full of applause. In the Unplugged Coding category for elementary grades 1-3, 1st place was won by Team 16 from SDS Sultan Iskandar Muda, followed by Team 39 from UPT SDN Percontohan Medan as 2nd place, and Team 24 from SDS Nanyang Zhi Hui as 3rd place.

Meanwhile, Hope 1 was won by Team 34 from UPT SDN 060877, Hope 2 by Team 15 from SDS St. Antonius V, and Hope 3 by Team 22 from SDS Nanyang Zhi Hui.

In the Robotic Line Follower category for high school/vocational, Team Winner from SMA Negeri 2 Medan emerged as 1st place, followed by Team Vector Velocity from SMA Negeri 1 Medan as 2nd place, and Team Adzkia Bot from SMA Swasta IP Adzkia Medan as 3rd place.

For the Scratch category at elementary grades 4-6, 1st place was won by K-13 from SDS St. Antonius V Medan, 2nd place K-84 from SDS Kemala Bhayangkari 1 Medan, and 3rd place K-83 from SD IT Khairul Iman.

Hope 1 was won by K-43 from SDS Namira Medan, Hope 2 K-07 from SD Islam Al-Ulum Terpadu Medan, and Hope 3 K-32 from SDS Prestige Bilingual School.

In the Scratch category for junior high school, 1st place was won by K-82 from SMP Negeri 10 Medan, 2nd place K-60 from SMP Swasta Batari Medan, and 3rd place K-77 from Nakamura School. The Hope 1 position was occupied by K-78 from UPT SMP Negeri 21 Medan, Hope 2 K-79 from SMP Swasta Batari Medan, and Hope 3 K-46 from SMP Swasta Nanyang Zhi Hui.

At the university level, the IoT category was won by Team Synapse Tech from Universitas Methodist Indonesia as 1st place, followed by Team Smartbin Squad from Universitas Negeri Medan as 2nd place, and Team Warases from Universitas Sumatera Utara as 3rd place. Meanwhile, the Favourite Winner was Team Rupiah Bicara from Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara.

In the Mobile Apps category for university level, 1st place was won by Team Suara Medan from UMSU, 2nd place Team Batak Paling Keren from Institut Teknologi Del, and 3rd place Team UMPAB Pioner from Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi. The Favourite Winner was Team Marsiadapari from Institut Teknologi Del.

Meanwhile, in the E-Sport category for high school/vocational, 1st place was won by Team Pelajar from WR Supratman 2, 2nd place by team NAC from SMK Negeri 1 Stabat, and 3rd place by team ANG ANG ANG from MAN 1 Medan.