An Indonesian team of young scientists emerged the overall champion by winning seven gold medals, one silver and three bronze medals as well as two BestPerformance awards at the 17th International Conference of Young Scientists.
Florencia V.Vaniara and Evelyn Wibowo won the gold medals in life science categories. Other Indonesian students Muhammad Kautsar, Dian Kartika Sari, Dicha Putri Maharani and Hidayu Permata Hardi grabbed theirs in the environmental science category.
In the mathematics category, Oki Novendra, a student from SMA1 High School in Bogor, West Java, completed the team's collection as his research, titled, "The Mathematical Explanation of The Death of Michael Jackson" impressed most members of the international jurors.
"Wow! It's just amazing. We are so happy to win the international competition," said Vaniara, who presented a scientific research titled, "The Effect of Stem Cell and Mangosteen Peel Extract on Abnormal Cells."
Vaniara worked together in a team with Evelyn Wibowo both from SMA Santa Laurensia in Serpong, Tangerang.
The Indonesian team lost in the physics science category, with the award going to Polish student Jacub Palewka with his research titled, "Air Pocket."
"I had a lot in common with people here. This is great experience to share with each other," said Palewka.
The Polish team received from the audience an applause in sympathy following the death of their presidents and a number of top government officials in the recent plane crash.
Poland also brought home seven gold medals and awards, followed by The Netherlands and Germany.
The conference, which took place in Sanur from April 12, brought together young scientists from 19 countries including 13 countries as contestants and six others as observers.
Among the contestant countries included Brazil, The Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Germany, while the observers were from Iran, Thailand, the UK, Cambodia and Nigeria. The US sent its representatives as members of the jurors.
Indonesia first took part in the International Young Scientist Conference in Poland in 2005. At that time, the Indonesian team of scientists gained only one bronze medal. In 2009, also in Poland, Indonesia won the overall championship by collecting six gold medals, one silver and three bronze.
Bambang Indriyanto of the National Education Ministry said that the team deserved appreciation for their achievement.
"They have proven that they can shine in the international science arena. They have competently undertaken their tasks," said Indriyanto, who represented National Education Minister Muhammad Nuh during the closing ceremony Friday.
The government, he said, would provide scholarships for the winners to enroll at any university in Indonesia or overseas.
"We will provide them with a wide choice of opportunities to pursue both undergraduate and postgraduate education as our appreciation of their extraordinary achievement on the international scene," he said.
