Antara News·Indonesia·Monday, September 28, 2026 at 09:10 AM

Student interest in research grows, OPSI hits 39,000: Ministry

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Hana, Kenzu

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Primary and Secondary Education Ministry said that the student interest in research and innovation is growing, reflected in a rise in applicants for this year's Indonesian Student Research Olympiad (OPSI), reaching 39,300 students.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti said in a written statement here on Monday that talent development in research needs to continue after the competition ends.

According to Mu'ti, the government has prepared various forms of support, ranging from coaching funds and assistance for schools to skills development through Bina Talenta Indonesia.

This also includes the Indonesia Talent Scholarship for undergraduate studies at home and abroad, as well as opportunities to enter universities through the achievement track.

He said the winners would have the opportunity to take part in the Indonesian Talent Scholarship selection process through the National Achievement Center (Puspresnas), in cooperation with the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP).

He added that the scholarship is specifically designed to fund undergraduate (S1) or applied undergraduate (D4) education, both at universities in Indonesia and abroad.

"Medals are not the end of the journey. Today's achievement is a gateway to the next opportunity to learn further, develop talent, gain new experience, and compete at a higher level," Minister Mu'ti said.

At the same event, the Ministry's Secretary General Suharti said that OPSI provides space for students to develop curiosity, critical and systematic thinking, data-based problem analysis, idea-building, and the creation of creative, innovative works and solutions beneficial to life.

Regarding this year, she noted that the number of OPSI applicants increased compared to last year, which totaled only 26,723 students.

At the national level, she explained that OPSI 2026 was attended by 125 finalist teams, or 250 students, from 24 provinces and Indonesian Schools Abroad (SILN) in Malaysia.

"The finalists consisted of 60 teams at the junior high school level or equivalent (SMP/MTs) and 65 teams at the senior high school level or equivalent (SMA/MA/SMK/MAK), competing in various fields of research," Suharti said.

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