RI students prevail in science competition

A group of Indonesian secondary school students have earned the country a special accolade to mark National Education Day on May 2, winning 10 medals at the international science competition in Poland.

The tally of six gold medals, a silver and three bronze shot Indonesia to the top of the table at the International Conference of Young Scientists (ICYS) in the Polish town of Pszczyna, which concluded Wednesday.

Indonesia beat Germany, the Netherlands and the United States in the competition, which featured tests in mathematics, physics, computer science and ecology.

Indonesia particularly excelled in ecology, winning three golds, one silver and two bronze from this field.

The gold medal winners were Guinandra Luftan Jatikusumo from Taruna Nusantara School in Magelang, Central Java, Idelia Chandra from St. Laurensia School in Tangerang, Banten, Vincentius Gunawan and Fernanda Novelia from Petra 3 School in Surabaya, Gabriela Alicia Kosasih from St. Laurensia, Jessica Karli from Cita Hati School in Surabaya and Nugra Akbari from Global Mandiri School in Jakarta.

Vincentius and Fernanda are the only junior high school students, the youngest members of the team.

Indonesia has taken part in the annual competition since 2005 and never won any gold medals in the past.

The students trained under the tutorage of Prof. Yohanes Surya, who is also the ICYS country representative.

The 10-strong team will arrive Friday at Soekarno-Hatta airport.