YOGYAKARTA – As many as 19 countries from three continents, namely Asia, Africa and America, starting today (20/9) to 28 September, will follow the 4th International Earth Science Olympiad 2010/IESO in Yogyakarta. They are USA, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Cambodia, Korea, Kuwait, Maldives, Nepal, Nigeria, Romania, Russia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Ukraine. In addition, there is also an observer country (France). The opening ceremony is held today at the Kepatihan Yogyakarta.
According to Director of SMP Assistance Ministry of National Education who is also IESO SC, Dr. Didik Suhardi, IESO is a series of Olympiad events of subjects for high school students. This event is expected to encourage more competitive high school students to achieve their best performance. "It provides high school students the opportunity to broaden their experience through experience exchange with friends from other countries," Didik said.
Didik explained that Yogyakarta is chosen as the venue for the International Olympiad because this city is a cultural and students city. It preserves the cultural heritage, especially the Javanese culture, which is very rich. The city is also the city of students because it accommodates students from all over Indonesia. "Therefore, we recommend to the participants, judges and observers to be able to spend some time looking at the culture and characteristics of Yogyakarta as a student city when this competition is over," he hoped.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Prof. Dr. Ir. Muhammad Nuh, D.E.A., in his welcoming speech read out by Director General of Primary and Secondary Education Management of Ministry of Education, Prof. Suyanto, Ph.D., welcomed the holding of the International Earth Science Olympiad. The Minister hoped this event would raise awareness about nature conservation which has been a concern for world leaders, politicians, and academicians. "This activity can later become a scientific breakthrough in how to rescue our nature from further destruction," the Minister said.
In the same place, Head of Department of Geological Engineering, UGM, Prof. Ir. Dwikorita Karnawati, M.Sc., Ph.D., added that this Earth Science Olympiad is different from other Olympiad events that have been held, such as Mathematics Olympiad. In this Olympiad, participants will be given a written test and are involved directly in the field. "Field practice is held at several locations, such as Kali Ngalang Gunung Kidul (geology), UGM GSP field (meteorology), the Air Force field in Gading Gunung Kidul (astronomical observation), and the Baron Beach (Oceanography)," she added.
She explained that this event will also give attention to young researchers in particular to keep the earth which is getting destroyed due to exploitation. Unfortunately, although the exploitation of the earth continues to occur, earth science that is relatively new has not been widely used. "Through this geo-science researchers should be able to play a role. Moreover, Indonesia is also the fourth largest population of the world that has quite dynamic ground conditions,"
Dwikorita said.
In addition, following the written test and practice, the participants and the team leaders will also visit tourist destinations in several places, such as the Museum of Mount Merapi, the Yogyakarta Palace, Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple, Taman Pintar, Malioboro, and watch the performance of the Ramayana Ballet.
Meanwhile, the Indonesia’s IESO team consists of Ardy Ramadan (SMAN 48 Jakarta), Asri Oktavioni (SMAN 8 Jakarta), Ega Gita Prasastia (SMA 2 Purwokerto), Fajar Febiani Amanda (SMAN 1 Banjarnegara), I Wayan Punia Raharja (SMAN 1 Amlapura ), Kamil Ismail (MAN Insan Cendekia Serpong Banten), Mikey (SMAN 1 Pekanbaru), and Rio Priandri Nugroho (SMAN 3 Yogyakarta). They will be divided into two teams, namely Team A and Team B.