OKTAN is a Semi-Autonomous Body (SAB) of Himpunan Mahasiswa Kimia (HMK) ‘AMISCA’ ITB, and it is held annually. The event includes two main competitions: CRYSTAL (Chemistry Biggest National Competition), a chemistry olympiad for high school students, and ISOTERM (Indonesian’s Innovative Research Competition), a scientific paper competition for university students.

Almer Veda, the Chief Organizer of OKTAN 2025, stated that this year’s event focused on environmentally friendly innovations and sustainability. The goal was to inspire participants to develop scientific solutions that can be directly applied in daily life.

"With this theme, I hope that the ISOTERM participants, who are submitting scientific papers, will produce innovations that can easily be implemented to restore our environment," he said.

The strong enthusiasm from participants was evident, with many attending from various regions across Indonesia, including areas outside Java. This shows that the competition is growing and gaining recognition as a prestigious event with a wide reach.

Saskia Aulia, the Chairperson of HMK ‘AMISCA’ ITB, emphasized the importance of OKTAN’s future sustainability. "We hope that in the future, this event will be recognized as a national achievement by the central government, allowing it to reach an even broader audience. Once the competition gains national recognition, more participants from various regions will be able to join," she explained.

Beyond being a competition, OKTAN aims to introduce chemistry to the general public and demonstrate its practical applications in everyday life. "We want chemistry to be seen not only as theoretical knowledge in the classroom but also as something the wider community can understand and apply," Saskia added.

In addition to the competitions and scientific exhibitions, ATOMIC OKTAN 2025 featured other engaging activities, such as an ITB campus tour. The event concluded with a closing ceremony and gala dinner, providing a moment for reflection and appreciation for the success of this year’s competition and exhibition.

With the success of this year’s event, OKTAN is expected to continue growing and receiving greater support, so the innovations born from this event can provide real solutions to various challenges in society.

Reporter: Atika Widya Nurfaizah (Postharvest Technology, 2021)

Translator: Atika Widya Nurfaizah (Postharvest Technology, 2021)