Balikpapan - Students of Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) have once again achieved a remarkable accomplishment. Three teams from the Naval Architecture Study Program have successfully advanced to the National Finals of the 2026 Indonesian Ship Contest (Kontes Kapal Indonesia/KKI) after completing a series of selection stages organized by the Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs, Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.

The three ITK teams advancing to the national stage are Team SENTINEL in the Design and Construction Innovation (Inovasi Desain dan Konstruksi/IDK) category, Team MAHAKAM 13 in the Electric Remote Control (ERC) category, and Team MAHAKAM 12 in the Fuel Engine Remote Control (FERC) category.

Having three teams qualify simultaneously is a notable achievement for ITK, particularly as the students competed against teams from universities across Indonesia. Their journey to the finals involved an extensive process of design development, vessel system refinement, testing, and completion of various competition selection requirements.

KKI is a national-level competition that provides university students with opportunities to develop their capabilities in ship design, construction, control systems, propulsion technology, and maritime innovation. Through this competition, students are challenged not only to develop vessels that meet technical competition requirements but also to apply their engineering knowledge in an integrated, real-world system.

This achievement has also been supported by various parties within ITK, including university leaders, academic supervisors, student affairs and finance teams, as well as supporting facilities such as the CNC Laboratory. This collaborative support has played an important role in the development process and preparation of ITK’s teams for the national competition.

According to the official invitation for the 2026 KKI, the national finals will be held on September 13–17, 2026, at Politeknik Negeri Bengkalis, Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province. During the final stage, the three ITK teams will continue optimizing their vessels, competition strategies, and other technical aspects to deliver their best performance.

The advancement of SENTINEL, MAHAKAM 13, and MAHAKAM 12 to the finals demonstrates ITK students’ continued commitment to developing their capabilities and innovations in maritime technology. Beyond successfully securing places in the national finals, the three teams will now carry ITK’s spirit and innovation onto the national stage.

Congratulations to Team SENTINEL, MAHAKAM 13, and MAHAKAM 12. It is time to bring ITK’s maritime innovations to the national stage at KKI 2026.