At a young age, Qutby Razin Abqory Belindo is already familiar with coding and technology competitions. The Grade 10 student of Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) added another achievement to his journey after winning second place at IMPACT Fest 2026, held at Ciputra World Surabaya on July 18, 2026.
IMPACT Fest 2026 was a collaboration between Wismilak Foundation and Koding Akademi, designed as a platform for young people to turn ideas into technology-based solutions. The competition featured several categories, including Coding Explorer, 3D Game Programming, Robotic Explorer, and Young Innovator, while also encouraging participants to develop problem-solving skills and sustainability-oriented innovation.
The competition stage was not a new experience for Qutby. The Surabaya-born student had previously taken part in several competitions, including the 2025 Surabaya Student Research Competition (LPPS), where he earned First Runner-Up Honourable Mention, as well as the Indonesia International Applied Science Project Olympiad (I2ASPO) in 2024 and 2025, where he won Gold Medals, along with several other coding competitions.
IMPACT Fest became his fifth competition and another step in building experience in the field.
“I feel there are still many things I need to learn and explore. I want to keep trying new things so that my skills can continue to grow,” Qutby said.
His progress has been built through regular independent practice, usually once or twice a week. The mentoring process does not simply provide instant answers. Instead, Qutby is encouraged to understand the problem and find the solution on his own.
This approach makes competition about more than simply mastering programming languages. Through the process, Qutby develops the ability to analyse problems, keep going when the first solution fails, and search for new approaches until an idea finally works.
Thursina IIBS continues to support his development through regular mentoring so that his coding skills do not stop growing after each competition. This approach is part of Thursina’s Holistic & Balanced Education principle, which gives students space to grow according to their individual talents and potential while continuing to develop their character and academic abilities.
The spirit of IMPACT Fest itself places technology as a tool for creating real solutions. Participants are encouraged to move from concepts to prototypes and presentations, while learning that innovation can be used to respond to challenges in society and sustainability.
Qutby’s journey reflects the inspiring value within Thursina IIBS’s RECODING Values. His achievement is not only seen through a collection of medals, but also through his willingness to keep learning even after winning.
“In the future, I want to take part in more challenging competitions and win them,” he said.
For Qutby, second place at IMPACT Fest is not the finish line. Every competition becomes another line in a much longer journey of learning, creating, and building something that may one day bring wider benefits to others. (Izz)
