Education Ministry Sends 79 Young Indonesian Talents to Compete in 14 International Events

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen), through the National Achievement Centre (Puspresnas), is sending 79 of Indonesia’s best talents to represent the nation in 14 international talent events throughout 2026. These young talents will compete in Olympiads for science, mathematics, informatics, artificial intelligence, geography, astronomy, and economics, as well as in debating and vocational competitions. The young delegates will carry not only their best academic abilities and skills but also Indonesia’s hope of being continuously reckoned with on the world stage. Before departing for their destination countries, the delegates received direct reinforcement from Kemendikdasmen leadership as preparation to raise the Red and White flag at various international events. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, stated in his address that achievement at the international level is not merely about winning medals, but is a first step towards producing a generation that benefits the nation. ‘International events are not the final goal. What we want to produce is a generation of future scientists, innovators, and leaders who use their knowledge for Indonesia’s advancement. Today’s achievement is the beginning of a greater contribution to the nation,’ said the Minister in Jakarta at the Send-off Ceremony for the Indonesian Delegation to 2026 International Events on Tuesday. Mu’ti advised all delegates to compete with confidence and to treat every competition as an opportunity to show that Indonesian students can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best talents. Throughout 2026, the Indonesian delegation will participate in 14 international events, including the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), International Biology Olympiad (IBO), International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), and the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI). The delegates will also showcase their skills at the International Geography Olympiad (IGeo), International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO), International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), International Economics Olympiad (IEO), World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC), Young Inventors Challenge (YIC), International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO), and The Battle of the Chefs. All participants are top talents resulting from a national selection process who have undergone intensive coaching with Puspresnas Kemendikdasmen and partner coaches. Secretary General of Kemendikdasmen, Suharti, stated that the success in sending Indonesian delegations to various international events is the result of tiered coaching. ‘All the delegates departing today have gone through a rigorous selection process and intensive coaching by the National Achievement Centre. They are equipped not only with mastery of the material but also with competition simulations, character strengthening, and mental readiness to face competition at the world level,’ she said. Suharti added that the challenges of international competition continue to evolve, so talent development must also adapt. ‘International competition is getting tighter, especially in new fields like artificial intelligence. Therefore, Kemendikdasmen continues to strengthen talent development so that Indonesia is not just a participant, but becomes a nation to be reckoned with in various international events,’ she said.