TEMPO.CO, Jakarta- Indonesia won three gold medals, two silver medals, three bronze medals, one special award, and two best scientific poster awards at the 2013 Asia Pacific Conference of Young Scientists held in Palembang, South Sumatera, on 13 – 20, 2013. High school researchers from several countries in Asia Pacific took part in the event.

The medals were given to twelve scientific works submitted by the participants from Indonesia," said Executive Director of Surya Institute, Sri SetiowatiSaeiful, speaking by phone from Palembang, Saturday, 18 May. Gold medals went to Dionisius Hardjo Lukito for the Category of Physics, Natasha Kristie for the Category of Life Sciences, and Putrie Rizki for the Category of Environmental Science.

Silver Medals went to Harman Dewantoro for the Category of Math and Dominicus Untariady for the Category of Life Sciences.

Bronze medals went to Indonesian Junior and Randy Rentanaka for the Category of Environmental Science and Desi Riana for the Category of Life Sciences.

Best Effort award was given to FirzaPratama for the Computer Science competition, while Best Poster awards were given to Edo Setiawan and Dionisius Hardjo Lukito. "From all the winners, four of them are form Palembang, where it’s held," Sri said "I wish all the best for our young researchers, Indonesia’s future scientists," she added.

The 2013 Asia Pacific Conference of Young Scientists was held in collaboration between Surya Institute and the South Sumatera provincial government. This year’s conference was the second conference with 9 countries taking part – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, China, China Taipei, Guam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and host Indonesia.

Sri further said that another result achieved from this year’s conference was the establishment of an association of research advisory teachers, which is an important forum for research teachers to share understandings in giving guidance for research to teenagers. "The association now consists of 15 teachers but more teachers from all over the country are expected to join the association," she said.

South Sumatera Governor Alex Noerdin hoped that such event could improve the quality of education in Indonesia, especially in South Sumatera and could also promote the development of research among teenagers.

HARUN MAHBUB