SEAToday.com, Jakarta – A team of Indonesian children emerged as champions at the 2024 Coding World Innovative Technology Challenge held from November 2-3 at Chonnam National University in Yeosu-si, South Korea. The young Indonesian coders won two gold, one silver, and three bronze medals in the prestigious competition.

According to Budi Chang, the Indonesian Delegation Chairman, the team trained rigorously for six months, dedicating two sessions per week with each session lasting 3-4 hours. "The Indonesian delegation faced rigorous evaluation criteria, focusing on program effectiveness, originality (whether AI-assisted or not), and creativity," Budi said.

The event also saw participation from other countries, including the Philippines and South Korea. Budi noted that participants from other nations were surprised by Indonesia’s gold medals, given the team's relatively brief training period.

What made this victory especially meaningful, Budi explained, was that the Indonesian team consisted of children from various regions who initially struggled with basic calculations. They were trained by Gasing Academy under the guidance of Indonesian scientist Prof. Yohanes Surya. The Academy provided 10 months of math training before the students started coding, which they studied intensively for six months.

"Now, their math skills are at a high school level, despite being in elementary and junior high school," Budi added.

The Indonesian team included Felicia Dahayu from Banyuwangi, East Java; Jose Norotouw from Jayapura City; Cressya Wianopa from Gunung Mas, Central Kalimantan; Esra Samuel Weyai from Biak Numfor, Papua; Uril Algifari from Central Halmahera, North Maluku; and Fanita Tenouye from Nabire, Central Papua.

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro appreciated the achievements of Indonesian children in the event.

Minister Satryo said the agenda was an event for the nation's children to show their abilities at the international level, which also helped make Indonesia proud.