Jakarta, August 26, 2026 – PT Kalbe Farma Tbk (Kalbe) collaborates with Gonzaga Senior High School by holding a national science competition under the name of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Gonzaga College 2026. The “Sapientia Viridis” (green wisdom)-themed competition became a place for students to develop Internet of Things (IoT)-based innovations as solutions for various environmental problems that are happening in the society.
The launching of the competition was attended by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Stella Christie. The competition was born out of a shared concern about various natural phenomena that have been happening in various regions, including forest fires – not only is their impact felt by the environment, it could also affect people’s health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the smoke from forest fires contains fine particles (PM2.5) and various pollutants that could trigger health issues, including respiratory problems and heart diseases. Exposure to the smoke could also affect the brain’s functions and the health of vulnerable groups such as children, seniors, and those with chronic diseases.
Environment-wise, forest fires could also release carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases in a large amount, plus reduce forests’s capability to act as natural carbon absorbers. This condition could make climate changes worse, reduce biodiversity, destroy animals’s habitats, and interfere with the quality of land and water sources.
In line with this condition, through their sustainability commitment of Bersama Sehatkan Bangsa, Kalbe treats support to various efforts to improve the health quality of the people as an important matter. Not only is their support implemented through providing accesses to health care, it is also shown through their encouragement to innovations that could bring positive impact for people’s health and environment.
“Kalbe is committed to continuously support sustainable innovations. During this event, Kalbe supported innovations that were born out of the minds of high school students who competed in the STEAM competition to solve environmental issues together,” says the Head of Corporate Sustainability of PT Kalbe Farma Tbk, Abi Nisaka.
Aside from becoming a place to facilitate the development of innovations, the STEAM Gonzaga College 2026 competition has also become a means of encouragement to help form a science-based thinking culture in everyday lives. Through the STEAM approach and the use of technology, students are encouraged to be aware of problems in their surroundings and develop solutions based on scientific processes.
The Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Stella Christie, further emphasizes the importance of building a culture of researches, starting at the level of schools. She thinks that this process could be started by encouraging students to have curiosity, the courage to ask questions, and to look for answers that are based on data. “This is the culture of researches that we need to build starting from our schools, making students feel courageous to ask questions, ponder on the quality of their questions, and look for answers based on systematic data,” says Prof. Stella.
Meanwhile, the Head of Gonzaga Senior High School, Pater Eduard Calistus Ratu Dopo S.J., M.Ed., says that educational institutions play a role in directing young people’s curiosity, including in their efforts to guard the environment. “When curiosity to guard the environment in young people arises, our job in an educational institution is to direct them through a compassion-based approach. Through science, students are trained to learn, while a leader is shaped to serve with wisdom,” adds Pater Eduard.
Through the collaboration of Kalbe and Gonzaga Senior High School, this national science competition, STEAM Gonzaga College 2026, is hoped to be able to provide a space for students to develop their scientific thinking ability while, at the same time, create innovations that are relevant with the challenges faced by our environment. This effort is in line with the spirit to encourage the young generation to contribute through science, technology, and innovation in creating a healthier and more sustainable environment.