UNAIR NEWS – The National Olympiad in Mathematics and Natural Sciences for Higher Education Institutions (ONMIPA-PT) continues its 2026 competition with the selection phase officially beginning on Tuesday, June 9, at Nano Building of Universitas Airlangga’s MERR-C Campus.
While finalists competed in the academic contest, university faculty representatives gathered at the first-floor hall of the MERR-C Campus Management Office for a discussion forum. The session, titled “The National Olympiad in Mathematics and Natural Sciences for Higher Education Institutions and Future Challenges,” brought together delegates from 85 universities to exchange perspectives and formulate strategic ideas aimed at strengthening the competition’s future direction.
In his opening remarks, Vice Rector for Academic, Student, and Alumni Affairs, Prof. Mochammad Amin Alamsjah welcomed and thanked the university representatives for their participation. He emphasized that ONMIPA plays a vital role in developing high-achieving students capable of making meaningful contributions to society.
“We should be proud to be among those contributing to the advancement of science in Indonesia. At the same time, we must continue evaluating and developing the competencies of our students. This remains one of the key challenges on Indonesia’s path toward becoming a developed nation,” he said.
Preparing next generation of scientific talent
Prof. Alamsjah described ONMIPA as an important platform for nurturing future generations of scientists, innovators, and leaders who can contribute to national progress. The competition, he said, serves as a pipeline for identifying and developing talented young individuals with the potential to shape Indonesia’s future.
“We cannot simply leave them to develop on their own. We must continue guiding and supporting their learning process so they can grow into a generation that will make the nation proud,” he said.
He expressed hope that the forum would produce actionable recommendations to improve the implementation of ONMIPA in the years ahead. The professor from UNAIR’s Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences also called for broader support and recognition from key stakeholders, including the national government, regional administrations, and academic communities throughout Indonesia.
“ONMIPA has already received encouraging levels of support, but we hope it will gain even greater recognition in the future. We would like to see stronger engagement from government institutions, universities, and regional administrations across the country so the program can continue to grow and thrive,” he said.
Author: Yulia Rohmawati
