OSN 2026 Serves as Platform for Developing Young Science Talent

RRI.CO.ID, Malang - The 2026 National Science Olympiad (OSN) for secondary education students was officially closed by Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang in East Java on Saturday, September 19, 2026. A total of 566 young science talents from across Indonesia participated in the national competition across nine fields: astronomy, biology, economics, physics, geography, informatics, earth science, chemistry, and mathematics.

Abdul Mu’ti said the OSN is not merely a competition for winning medals, but also serves as a platform to identify, guide, and develop the academic potential of Indonesia’s younger generation. He said all participants who reached the national level had gone through a selection process and demonstrated potential for further development.

“Keep learning to achieve your aspirations, and keep learning so that you can become Indonesian scientists and scholars who uphold Pancasila values, have noble character, and contribute to Indonesia’s progress and prosperity through the advancement of science and technology,” Abdul Mu’ti said.

He emphasized that the development of science and technology should remain rooted in Indonesia’s natural, social, and cultural potential. Young Indonesian scientists are therefore expected not only to master technological developments, including artificial intelligence, but also to uphold values, morality, integrity, and national character.

“We hope this event will motivate our children to study harder and develop themselves as young Indonesian scientists who are able to apply theories while also exploring the various resources and wealth we possess,” Abdul Mu’ti said. He added that Indonesia’s natural, biological, agricultural, social, and cultural wealth could serve as valuable subjects for scientific development through the application of science and technology.

Head of the National Achievement Center (Puspresnas) Maria Veronica Irene, said the number of participants in the 2026 OSN increased by more than 12 percent compared with the previous year. In addition to competitions in nine science fields, the event also featured the Collaborative Indonesian Talent Development program and the Artificial Intelligence Competition Exhibition (EKKA).

According to her, the series of activities gave participants opportunities not only to compete individually but also to collaborate across disciplines. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has also provided various opportunities for further development, including talent development programs, scholarships, achievement-based university admission pathways, and opportunities to qualify for international competitions.

Of the 566 OSN 2026 finalists, 45 won gold medals, 90 won silver medals, and 135 won bronze medals, while Jakarta emerged as the overall champion with 82 medals. Medalists also received financial awards of 25 million rupiah for gold, 20 million rupiah for silver, and 15 million rupiah for bronze, as part of the government’s continued support for developing Indonesia’s science talent.