UNAIR NEWS – The National Olympiad of Mathematics and Natural Sciences for Higher Education Students (ONMIPA-PT) has officially begun, with Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) serving as host of the prestigious nationwide event. The competition is taking place over four days, from Monday (June 8, 2026) to Thursday (June 11, 2026), at the university’s MERR-C Campus.
UNAIR Rector Prof. Dr. Muhammad Madyan, SE, MSi, MFin, said the university was honored to be entrusted with organizing this year’s competition. “We view this opportunity as a responsibility to provide a high-quality, transparent, and memorable experience for the country’s brightest young talents,” he said during the opening ceremony at Garuda Mukti Hall on Monday.
More than an academic contest
Widely regarded as one of Indonesia’s premier academic competitions, ONMIPA is designed to be more than a test of academic achievement. The event also serves as a platform to celebrate scientific thinking, intellectual curiosity, and the willingness to tackle real-world challenges through knowledge and innovation.
“The rapid pace of technological advancement, the emergence of artificial intelligence, global economic uncertainty, public health concerns, and environmental sustainability challenges are creating increasingly complex issues. Mathematics and the natural sciences play a critical role in addressing them,” he said.
The Faculty of Economics and Business professor added that the significance of the participants’ presence at UNAIR extends beyond the competition itself. He described them as future leaders who will help shape scientific progress, technological advancement, and innovation while contributing to Indonesia’s development.
“We hope this event provides a meaningful experience for everyone involved. More importantly, it should encourage us to ensure that science and mathematics are not viewed solely as academic pursuits, but as foundations for ideas, collaboration, and innovations that create long-term benefits for society,” he said.
Commitment to smooth and fair competition
Prof. Ir. Mochammad Amin Alamsjah, MSi, PhD, UNAIR’s Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Alumni, said this year’s competition features 260 finalists from 85 universities. The finalists advanced through a rigorous selection process that narrowed the field from 3,712 participants who competed in regional rounds held in May. “This year, each discipline, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, will be represented by 65 finalists,” he said.
He also reaffirmed UNAIR’s commitment to ensuring the competition proceeds without disruption. According to Amin, the university has prepared the necessary facilities and infrastructure to support a seamless event. UNAIR is also committed to upholding fairness and independence throughout the competition. “We have deployed trained student volunteers to assist judges directly on-site and help prevent any potential misconduct or cheating during the event,” he said.
Author: Yulia Rohmawati
