Students from Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) have once again made a proud mark on the international stage. A total of six teams secured top honors—three winning Gold Medals and three earning Silver Medals—at the Bali International Science Fair (BISF) 2026.
Organized by the Indonesian Young Scientist Association (IYSA) in collaboration with Warmadewa University, BISF is a prestigious research competition. The event took place from June 19 to 22, 2026, at the Widya Sabha Auditorium in Denpasar, Bali.
BISF 2026 was integrated with the Indonesia International IoT Olympiad (I3O) and the International Youth Business Competition (IYBC). The event drew 116 teams competing both in-person and online, featuring international representatives from countries such as Vietnam and Bangladesh, alongside a global participant network spanning dozens of nations across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Participants presented their innovations to an international panel of judges.
This year's competition focused on developing solutions to global challenges across six categories: Life Sciences, Environment, Pure Science, Physics and Engineering, Electronics and Internet of Things (IoT), and Social Science. Entrants were challenged to produce innovations that were not only creative but also offered practical benefits to society.
Thursina IIBS fielded six delegation teams following nearly two months of intensive coaching. Among the Gold Medalists was a team that developed the "Eco Crusher Bin."
Created by eighth-grade student Muhammad Fahri Alfarezi and his teammates—all first-time participants in an international research competition—the Eco Crusher Bin is an innovative waste receptacle designed to process organic waste on-site, making it easier to convert into fertilizer.
Team advisor Prasetyono Herdianto, S.Pd., expressed pride in the students' courage and creativity in addressing environmental issues, noting that their success demonstrates young age is no barrier to creating impactful work.
"I am extremely proud of the ideas generated by the students. At just eighth grade, they demonstrated visionary thinking to produce innovations that address real societal needs," Herdianto said.
"This achievement stems from two months of dedicated guidance, but even more significant is their drive to keep exploring science. I hope they remain curious, as true scientists always seek to innovate further," he added.
For Alfarezi, participating in BISF served as a milestone for building research skills and broadening his global perspective.
"Alhamdulillah, I am deeply grateful to win a Gold Medal in an international competition. At first, we didn't expect our work to be recognized this way by the judges. Throughout the preparation, we learned to collaborate, think critically, and confidently present our ideas before an international audience," Alfarezi said.
The school stated that the achievements at BISF 2026 reflect its core values—specifically inspiring research culture, innovation, and continuous self-development. The success also highlights Thursina IIBS's commitment to cultivating future skills and leadership, preparing students to become solution-oriented global citizens who contribute meaningfully to scientific progress and environmental sustainability.
