Indonesia Targeting to Win International Astronomy Olympiad
Tuesday, 19 August, 2008 | 14:00 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Indonesia is targeting to win the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) held between August 19 and 28 in Bandung, West Java.

“We are the host for the Olympiad, we have to win the competition,” said Directorate General for Basic and Secondary Education Suyanto when releasing ten students competing in the Olympiad in Jakarta, on Friday (15/8).

Suyanto said that if any participants win gold medals they will receive free education through to doctoral level.

“The President has promised this,” he said.

Silver medal winners will receive free education through to master degree level while bronze medal winners will receive free education through to bachelor degree level.

Director for Senior High School at the Education Department Sungkowo said 25 out of 37 registered countries have confirmed their participation in the Olympiad.

Several countries that separated from Russia have cancelled their participation.

Sungkowo said he expected that countries with much knowledge of astronomy like China and Iran will participate in the Olympiad.

Dianing Sari