Robotics Competition Becomes a Breeding Ground for Young Innovators in Lumajang

Lumajang – Technological advancement should be seen as an opportunity for local youth to grow as creators of innovation, rather than merely passive consumers of digital technology. This message was one of the main themes at the Indonesia Youth Robotic Competition (IYRC) Lumajang 2026.

Lumajang Regent Indah Amperawati said that local children have great potential to develop in the technology sector if given adequate learning spaces, mentoring, and opportunities.

According to Indah, robotics competitions provide an important platform to build the courage to think creatively and to accustom young people to finding solutions through technological approaches.

“Children should not only be taught how to use technology, but must also be encouraged to have the courage to create something beneficial through technology,” Indah said during the IYRC 2026 event at Soedjono Building in Lumajang, on Sunday (10/5/2026).

She explained that future education patterns must be directed toward innovation and creativity. This is because global challenges require the younger generation to be able to create new solutions across various sectors of life.

In this context, robotics not only trains technical skills but also shapes an innovative mindset and the courage to experiment.

“Regions must become places where young innovators can grow. The potential of Lumajang’s children is second to none if given the space to develop,” she said.

Indah expressed hope that activities like IYRC can build optimism among local youth so they are more confident in facing global competition. She also hopes the event will encourage the creation of works and innovations that benefit society.

Robotics as Investment in Future Human Resources

The Lumajang Regency Government has begun positioning technology-based human resource development as an important part of the region’s long-term development direction.

Through the Indonesia Youth Robotic Competition (IYRC) Lumajang 2026, the local government aims to ensure that the younger generation is prepared to face global changes increasingly driven by technological advancement and digitalization.

Lumajang Regent Indah Amperawati stated that the future of a region is no longer determined solely by natural resource strength, but also by the quality of its human resources in mastering science, technology, and innovation.

According to Indah, regions that can survive and thrive in the modern era are those that successfully prepare a young generation that is adaptive, creative, and able to respond to the challenges of the times.

“IYRC is not just a robotics competition, but part of a long-term investment to build superior human resources ready to face changes in the world of work and global technological developments,” she said while opening IYRC 2026 at Soedjono Building in Lumajang, East Java Province, on Sunday (10/5/2026).

Indah explained that robotics is an important learning medium because it trains logical thinking, problem-solving, innovation, and the ability to work systematically and collaboratively.

These skills are considered essential needs in the era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 moving toward Society 5.0, where competition no longer relies solely on conventional labor but also on the ability to adapt to technological developments.

“Future regional development must be based on the quality of human resources. Therefore, spaces for developing technological talent must be strengthened from an early age,” she said.

By strengthening human resources in the technology sector, the Lumajang Regency Government hopes that the younger generation will not only be ready to face changing times but will also become drivers of regional progress in the future.