After three days, the Religion, Science, and Research Olympiad (OASE) III PTKIN 2026 was officially closed at the Multipurpose Building of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta on Friday evening, November 6, 2026. Attended by 54 State Islamic Higher Education Institutions (PTKIN) from across Indonesia, the event brought students together in competition in religion, science, and research across 18 categories.

Throughout the competition, students had room to test their abilities, develop ideas, and show creativity and innovation in various fields of knowledge. The enthusiasm of participants and the support of each contingent helped bring the competition to life. The festive spirit of OASE was also visible in the expo, which drew large crowds throughout the event.

The climax of the program was the closing night, which featured musical performances, remarks from leaders, and an awards ceremony. The best participants were announced as winners of the various categories, covering the religion, science, and research fields.

UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan expressed gratitude and appreciation for the trust placed in UIN Sunan Kalijaga as host of OASE III PTKIN 2026. In his view, OASE has a meaning broader than a contest for championship titles. It is a place where student talents meet to develop their reasoning, share ideas, and produce innovations that contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

"OASE is a prestigious event within the PTKIN community and also has a deeply philosophical meaning, because it brings together great, gifted, and intelligent talents who show their reasoning, innovate, and present their thoughts and ideas as a first step toward discovering advances in science and technology," he said.

He also described OASE as a spring in the middle of the desert (oasis) that brings life, freshness, and hope amid drought and hardship. In his view, this philosophy is in line with the hope that the competition will produce a generation of scientists who can make discoveries and innovations and contribute real benefits to society.

Amid the development of artificial intelligence (AI), Prof. Noorhaidi said the ability to think critically, logically, and creatively must still be given the central place. He sees students who take part in OASE as a generation that keeps sharpening its thinking and is not fully swept away by the tide of technology.

"OASE also brings us relief amid the onslaught of AI that makes our brains slow down a little. I am sure those who compete here are people who are not lulled and swept away by the strong current of AI. They are those who still keep significant room for logical, critical, and creative thinking," he said.

For this reason, the Rector stressed that achievement at OASE is not measured by victory alone. The competition is expected to be a starting point for students to keep creating and to forge a path as innovators and scientists recognized worldwide.

Meanwhile, Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation Prof. Dr. Abdur Rozaki praised the enthusiasm and fighting spirit of PTKIN students during the competition. He said thousands of students registered in the initial stage before going through a selection process to determine who would advance to the competition rounds.

"We observed closely, and the fighting spirit of PTKIN students is extraordinary. Their sportsmanship is also extraordinary, and so are their efforts to build friendships among PTKIN students," he said.

According to Prof. Abdur Rozaki, the success of OASE is the result of collective work by many parties. Mentors accompanied participants throughout the competition, while UIN Sunan Kalijaga's student affairs team prepared the event for about four months. Support from PTKIN leaders and the relevant Directorate General also strengthened the event.

He also sees the high enthusiasm and ability of the students as an important asset for Indonesia's future. In his view, a combination of mastery of science and religious values can produce an innovative force relevant to coming challenges.

"Looking at this competition, God willing (insyaallah), Indonesia has extraordinary hope, because science and religion, when united, become a very innovative and promising force for Indonesia's future," he said.

To maintain the quality of the competition, Prof. Abdur Rozaki stressed that determining the winners is entirely the judges' authority. The organizers did not intervene in the process or in the results of the assessment. Each judge took an oath to carry out their duties independently and responsibly. This principle is an important part of upholding the integrity of OASE.

To the winners, he urged that their achievement not be the end of their journey in developing their knowledge.

"To those who won this competition, don't stop. Keep being scientists, keep being religious scholars, keep being researchers, keep creating," he said.

On the same occasion, Director of Islamic Higher Education (Diktis) Prof. Sahiron, representing the Ministry of Religious Affairs, expressed appreciation to UIN Sunan Kalijaga, the committee, and all PTKIN that contributed to organizing OASE III PTKIN 2026.

He linked the development of student competencies through OASE to the goal of Indonesia Emas 2045 (Golden Indonesia 2045). In his view, two things must be prepared to make Indonesia a developed nation: mastery of science and technology, and the formation of a religious society that brings public benefit (kemaslahatan).

"There are two important things that must be prepared for Indonesia to become a developed nation: mastery of science and technology, and the formation of a religious society that brings public benefit," he said.

Prof. Sahiron also outlined several Ministry of Religious Affairs programs to prepare students for the future, including Prima Magang and AKMINAS. He said about 16 percent of this year's Prima Magang participants were hired before finishing their higher education. AKMINAS, meanwhile, provides scholarly and leadership training for students.

The closing night of OASE III PTKIN 2026 was also the moment the winners of the 18 categories were announced. The best participants were named champions in the religion, science, and research fields after assessment by the judges.

The organization of OASE III PTKIN 2026 shows PTKIN's efforts to provide space for students to develop their academic abilities, creativity, and innovation. The meeting of many fields of knowledge in this competition also underscores the importance of mastering science and technology hand in hand with religious values. From this competitive space, students are expected to keep developing ideas and producing work that benefits society. (humassk)