Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) has once again achieved recognition in the field of technology. Yusuf Raihan, a Grade 12 student, successfully became one of 26 national finalists in the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Competition Exhibition (EKKA), organized by the National Achievement Center (Puspresnas) under Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen).
The achievement is even more significant as Yusuf became the only student from a school in the Greater Malang area to reach the final round. He advanced through a highly competitive selection process involving 2,317 participants, which was narrowed down to 100 semifinalists and finally 26 national finalists.
EKKA 2026 is both a competition and a development program for secondary school students with talent in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The event serves as a transition stage before AI is planned to become a permanent competition category in the National Science Olympiad (OSN) in 2027.
The competition goes beyond testing technical skills. Participants are expected to understand the principles of artificial intelligence, develop computational thinking, and demonstrate strong analytical abilities in solving problems through technology.
EKKA is also designed to identify Indonesia’s best young talents who may later be prepared for the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) 2027. That goal has become Yusuf’s main motivation after securing his place in the national final.
“Alhamdulillah, I am happy with the result, but for me, becoming a finalist is not something to celebrate yet because my main goal is to represent Indonesia at the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) 2027,” Yusuf said.
The EKKA 2026 Final will be held alongside the 2026 National Science Olympiad at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) from September 14 to 20, 2026. At this stage, the finalists will undergo further assessments to determine the strongest talents at the national level.
As part of his preparation, Yusuf has received support from Thursina, including academic dispensations, access to classrooms for independent study, administrative support, and internet access to support his training and exploration of AI materials.
For Yusuf, who also earned a Silver Medal at the 2025 World Invention Competition and Exhibition (WICE), the competition is part of a longer academic journey. He hopes his growing track record in AI will strengthen his profile as he prepares to apply to leading universities around the world.
“I hope this achievement can become an important step in strengthening my university application to a Top 10 university in the world,” he said.
The achievement reflects the inspiring value within Thursina IIBS’s RECODING Values: the spirit to keep growing, go beyond personal limits, and become an example through serious and consistent effort.
Yusuf’s success in reaching the top 26 national finalists is expected to inspire other Thursina students to explore emerging fields, build their skills consistently, and set higher academic and achievement goals.
From a highly competitive selection process to his ambitions of reaching IOAI 2027 and a Top 10 world university, Yusuf’s journey shows that inspiration begins with the courage to dream big, followed by discipline, perseverance, and the willingness to keep learning. (Izz)
