Int'l Physics Olympiad opens road to success

Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali

It was a rare sight to see more than 300 high school students from 69 countries jamming the spacious Bali International Convention Center (BICC) in Nusa Dua resort area.

The students, with their youthful enthusiasm, were not there for a concert or to watch an exhibition. They were taking part in the 33rd International Physics Olympiad held from July 22 through July 29.

Some students from Saudi Arabia looked confident in their traditional white robes, while students from Latvia looked hip with their punk hairstyles.

"It is refreshing to see their enthusiasm. Hosting these teenage guests is very fun," said Levie Martin, BICC's public relations manager.

The 33rd Physics Olympiad, held for the first time in Indonesia, had been scheduled for Bandung, West Java. But it was later moved to Bali for certain reasons, including better facilities and security.

"The United States and Israel refused to attend the Olympiad for security reasons, while participants from Kenya failed to show up because of financial problems," said Dr. Triyanta, the chairman of the organizing committee.

Delegates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) did not appear either, even though they had registered.

Participating countries included Iceland, Russia, the Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, Denmark, Canada, Columbia, China, Chinese Taipei, Iran, India, Australia, Latvia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand.

During the Olympiad, participants were accompanied by group leaders, observers and even parents.

For the competition, participating students were obliged to perform written and experimental tests, which were tailored for them by members of international jurors.

"All the written material was translated and reinterpreted into the language of each delegate by its leaders. That way, there would be no language barrier," Triyanta said.

The Indonesian team, comprising five of the best students -- Agustinus Peter Sahanggamu, Widagdo Setiawan, Christopher Hendriks, Fajar Ardian and Evelyn Mintarno -- were lucky.

"We were familiar with the material, although there were some modifications here and there," said Peter. In this year's Olympiad, the Indonesian team appeared confident in both written and experimental examinations despite the presence of strong teams, such as China, India, Russia and Iran.

"A number of participants looked really nervous especially when they were required to carry out an experimental project. They have probably never tried this equipment before," explained Triyanta.

Members of the jurors combined the total points from the two examinations.

In the event, 42 students, including three from Indonesia, received gold medals, 37 students won silver medals and 58 got bronze medals. The organizing committee also awarded 68 students with an honorable mention.

Chairman of the Indonesian team Yohanes Surya said Indonesian students came equipped with the necessary know-how they obtained during their 10-month training to compete with fellow students from overseas countries.

"I am very glad that they got three golds, one silver and a bronze. But this Olympiad was more than just getting medals," said Yohanes. The Olympiad was prime training ground for finding new talent and creating new Einsteins, new Newtons and other prominent scientists in the field of physics.

By participating in the Olympiad, Indonesian students had an opportunity to plunge into the fierce and competitive world of science -- a chance that is rarely found at home. They had to compete with the best students from around the globe.

"It was the right time for Indonesian students to prove to the world that they must be accounted for," Yohanes said. The Physics Olympiad was first held in Warsaw, Poland in l967.

"Indonesian students excel in these competitions," he said. Indonesia has so far sent 50 students to the Olympiad since the country first took part in the event in l993.

"All Indonesian Olympiad team alumni are studying at prestigious universities around the world," Yohanes said.

Some of the past team members are pursuing their doctorate degrees at famous universities, such as Princeton University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Leicester University and Tokyo University.

"Made Agus Wirawan, who won the first gold medal for Indonesia in the l999 Olympiad in Padova, is now studying at the prestigious Caltech university under the guidance of a Nobel laureate," Yohanes said proudly. Another former team member, Okky Gunawan, has also been lucky to work on his PhD at Princeton University under the close supervision of Prof. David Tsui, the winner of the l998 Nobel Prize for Physics.

By studying at well-respected universities, these Indonesian students closely interact with world class scientists and Nobel prize winners.

"I am optimistic that by the year 2020 or later, one Indonesian student will become a Nobel winner or at least, a Nobel candidate, provided they contribute distinguished work and theories. This is a very real possibility," he said.

Hendra Kwee, a former team member working on his PhD at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, shared his experience.

"All past Indonesian team members have a strong networking system. We would be glad to help or recommend other Indonesian students to study at our universities," said Hendra, who returned to Indonesia for holidays to help accompany and translate exam material for this year's participants.

Yohanes said he often warned members on the home team to pursue high education abroad.

"But, don't ever, ever think of changing your citizenship. If you get a high achievement, you'll get it as an Indonesian scientist and everybody in the country will be proud of you," Yohanes always tells his trainees.