Indonesian Students Shine at Genius Olympiad 2026, Securing Silver Medal and Finalist Spot

Indonesian students have once again proven their mettle on the international stage, with four students from SMA Cahaya Rancamaya Islamic Boarding School in Bogor securing accolades at the prestigious Genius Olympiad 2026. The competition, held in Houston, USA, from June 8-12, 2026, focused on environmental issues, sustainability, and innovative solutions to global challenges.

One team from the school earned a Silver Medal in the Resources and Energy category for their research on "Eco-friendly Solar Cell Fabrication Based on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) from Black Coconut Shell and Anthocyanin Pigment from Apple Peel." Students Nadhim Muhammad Sulthan Shabir and Valkean Ikram Permana developed an innovative method for creating environmentally friendly solar cells using waste materials like black coconut shells and apple peel pigments.

Another team reached the finals in the Ecology and Biodiversity category with their project titled "Integration of Chlorella sp. – Bacillus subtilis as a Bioremediation Technology for Chicken Slaughterhouse Liquid Waste." Emir Maulana Musthofa and Arvin Rayyan Ihsani presented a biotechnological solution using microalgae and bacteria to treat liquid waste from chicken processing plants, showcasing a more sustainable approach to waste management.

Ari Rosandi, Director of Education at SMA Cahaya Rancamaya, praised the students, their teachers, and parents for their dedication. He emphasized that this achievement highlights the potential of Indonesian students to compete globally through high-quality, relevant research. The Genius Olympiad brought together top high school researchers from around the world, underscoring the significance of these Indonesian students' success in a competitive international arena.