Depok, West Java, October 7, 2026 – The 23rd International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) officially concluded at the Human Resources Development Center (PPSDM) of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) in Depok, West Java, on Tuesday (October 6). The closing ceremony served as a moment to express appreciation for the participants and emphasized the importance of strengthening the foundations of mathematics and science, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
Didik Suhardi, Special Staff to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education for Management and Institutions, expressed his appreciation to all participants who had participated in the 23rd IMSO series. He stated that all participants were young people who had prepared themselves to be the best.
"I congratulate the participants on their outstanding achievements and gold medals. We believe all the participants are outstanding young people who have prepared themselves to be the best," said Didik.
He stated that during the six days of the 23rd IMSO, various activities were successfully held, including international seminars, cultural evenings, and educational tours to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park). He also expressed his gratitude to the IMSO Chairperson, the panel of judges, and all the committee members and volunteers who worked hard to ensure the competition ran smoothly.
On the same occasion, IMSO Chairman Raden Ridwan Hasan Saputra stated that IMSO is more than just an academic competition. He noted that throughout the competition, participants also demonstrated sportsmanship, resilience, and a spirit of global camaraderie.
"IMSO is much more than just a competition. It's a big, international family united by a spirit of discovery and mutual respect," said Ridwan.
He considered the participants' courage in appearing on the international stage, their perseverance in facing each challenge, and the friendships they forged as achievements far more valuable than medals. He also called the participants ambassadors of science and mathematics, hoping to bring their experiences to building a brighter and more united world.
From an academic perspective, the Science Academic Committee report indicated that participants generally had a good understanding of various scientific concepts. However, participants still needed to deepen their concepts and understand their broader applications. The jury found several conceptual errors in the material on graphical presentation, gravity and acceleration, electrical current and resistance, evaporation and condensation, and the differences between elements, compounds, and mixtures.
In the experimental test, the participants' communication and teamwork skills were praised. However, some participants still relied more on observation than applying scientific concepts. Some also struggled to process data into accurate graphs. Nevertheless, the judges deemed the 23rd IMSO one of the most intense competitions, with a very narrow margin between the silver and bronze medalists.
Meanwhile, the Academic Committee for Mathematics reported that the 23rd IMSO featured 207 young mathematicians from 23 countries. The exam questions were designed to test mathematical fluency, logical reasoning, conceptual understanding, and creative problem-solving skills through three sections: short answer, essay, and exploration.
This year's performance data shows an average overall score of 24.43, with the highest individual score reaching 65. The difficulty level of the questions is said to be significantly higher than in previous IMSO exams. However, this increase is designed to push participants out of their comfort zone and confront new, challenging problems.
Participants are also encouraged to measure success not solely on scores, but rather to view IMSO as a milestone in their mathematics learning journey. This experience is expected to serve as a catalyst for honing their problem-solving skills, enabling them to return stronger, wiser, and better prepared for future competitions. *** (Author: Rayhan/Photographer: Nurlaili/Editor: Ririn)
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