Jakarta — Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) is officially preparing to host the 2026 Indonesian Flying Robot Contest (KRTI), which is planned to take place in the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) area, East Kalimantan. This certainty emerged during a coordination meeting between ITK and the Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs (Belmawa) under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology on April 1, 2026, in Jakarta.

During the meeting, which was attended directly by Dr. Beny Bandanadjaja, S.T., M.T., Director of Belmawa, ITK presented its initial readiness as the host and strengthened its synergy with various stakeholders, including the IKN Authority, to ensure that the implementation of KRTI 2026 runs optimally and meets national standards.

Prof. Dr. Agus Rubiyanto, M.Eng.Sc., Rector of ITK, expressed his appreciation for the trust given to ITK as the host institution. According to him, this momentum is a strategic step to demonstrate the university’s role in supporting the development of Indonesia’s aerospace technology ecosystem, particularly in the Kalimantan region.

“We would like to express our gratitude for the trust that has been given to us. ITK is ready to collaborate and contribute to the success of KRTI 2026, while also presenting a competition experience that is not only high in quality, but also represents the spirit of development in the Nusantara Capital City,” said the Rector of ITK.

As one of the national-level technology competitions, KRTI showcases innovations in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) developed by university students from across Indonesia. Holding the event in the IKN area carries its own strategic value, as it combines technological competition with the space of Indonesia’s future development.

ITK is also currently conducting intensive coordination with the IKN Authority regarding venue readiness and technical support. Various areas within the IKN region are planned to be utilized to support the implementation of different competition categories, providing a more contextual and representative experience.

In addition, the hosting of KRTI 2026 in East Kalimantan is expected to encourage broader participation from young talents in eastern Indonesia, while also strengthening the position of IKN as a center of future innovation and technology.

As an illustration, KRTI is attended each year by dozens of teams from universities across Indonesia, with total participation reaching thousands of students. The competition is not only a platform to demonstrate technical capability, but also a space for collaboration, creativity, and innovation in aerospace technology.

Through its role as host, ITK reaffirms its commitment to supporting the development of excellent human resources and strengthening the national research and innovation ecosystem, in line with the spirit of developing the Nusantara Capital City as Indonesia’s city of the future.