The Faculty of Geography at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Geography UGM) is hosting the 2025 International Geography Olympiad (OLGENAS), officially opened on Monday (Jan. 20) at the Merapi Auditorium, Geography UGM.
The 2025 OLGENAS promotes Low Carbon Emissions, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 13, which focuses on climate change and global warming.
This year, OLGENAS adopts the theme “Net Zero Imperative: Regional Complex Contingency Towards Climate Resiliency,” a theme highly relevant to current global challenges.
Furthermore, the Dean of Geography UGM, Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, emphasized in his opening speech that the event’s theme is highly relevant, considering the pressing issue of climate change, which has gained global attention.
Entering its 20th year, OLGENAS also involves students from various schools in Indonesia and abroad. A total of 252 teams from Indonesia and international participants are eager to compete.
This year, 136 teams from junior high schools and 116 from senior high schools are participating, including four international teams, three from Russia and one from Malaysia.
The enthusiasm and participation of the contestants were acknowledged by the dean, who praised the students for applying their knowledge through this prestigious geography competition.
“You are the chosen ones whose hearts and minds are driven to think about the future of the Earth. I deeply appreciate all of you. As young as you are, you are already aware of and have a long-term vision for a low-carbon future,” he remarked.
Sleman Regent Kustini Sri Purnomo also expressed her appreciation for the international competition. According to the regent, OLGENAS aligns with Yogyakarta’s vision of being an environmentally sustainable education city.
“This event ignites the spirit of our children to compete healthily and contributes to realizing the 2045 golden generation. The olympiad will not only produce winners but also serve as a laboratory of ideas that can be developed in the future,” she stated.
As scheduled, the OLGENAS for junior high school participants runs from Jan. 20 to 21, while senior high school (SMA) participants will compete from Jan. 22 to 24.
The competition consists of three activities for junior high school contestants: written tests, outdoor learning, and multimedia tests.
Meanwhile, senior high school participants will participate in the olympiad exam and collaborative work, including written, multimedia, laboratory, and outdoor learning.
The collaborative work includes the Geographical Creative Collaboration (GCC) and an interactive presentation of the GCC results. In addition to the student competition, OLGENAS 2025 also organizes a series of activities for accompanying teachers.
Among them are Geoforum, an interactive discussion forum, and a Laboratory Tour introducing various facilities at Geography UGM for junior high school teachers.
Geotalk 2025, a talk show themed “Designing Sustainable Cities: Land Use Strategies for Climate Resilience,” will feature national and international speakers.
Meanwhile, senior high school teachers can participate in Geonovation, a workshop, and competition, as well as OFCOURSE (OLGENAS Field Course), an educational field trip focused on sustainable production in support of SDGs 2030.
With a series of activities centered on education and environmental sustainability, OLGENAS 2025 is expected to be a competitive event and contribute globally to the realization of a low-carbon and sustainable world.
Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya