All High-Schoolers across Indonesia, Get Ready for the Annual English Competition Polban 8.0: Aetheria

The Annual English Competition Polban (AECP) is an English competition organized by Himaris (Himpunan Mahasiswa Jurusan Bahasa Inggris), the English Student Association of Politeknik Negeri Bandung. The event is created for high school students across Indonesia to improve their English skills, creativity, confidence, and competitive spirit through exciting competitions and activities. Every year, AECP always brings new themes and fresh concepts to create memorable experiences for the participants while also encouraging students to explore their abilities in English. Through AECP, students are given opportunities to challenge themselves, show their talents, and meet other students from different schools and regions in Indonesia.

This year, AECP plans to return with its newest chapter, AECP 8.0, carrying a magical fantasy concept titled “Aetheria.” Inspired by fantasy stories such as Tinker Bell, Tangled, Peter Pan, and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, AECP 8.0 brings the theme of “Magical Wonderland.” Through this concept, the committee hopes that this event may create a fun and inspiring environment where students can freely express their creativity, confidence, and passion toward English. The magical theme also aims to make the competition feel more unique, exciting, and memorable for all participants.

The name “Aetheria” comes from the word ether, which symbolizes an unlimited element that connects two worlds: reality and a magical world full of language and imagination. According to Zidan Malikal Fauzi, the Chief Executive of AECP 8.0, the number eight in AECP 8.0 also represents the infinity symbol, showing endless creativity and opportunities for students to grow and develop their talents. To support the magical concept, the committee introduces the tagline, “Where Every Word Holds a Magic.” The tagline reflects the idea that every student has something unique and special within themselves and that every word they share can become something meaningful and powerful.

Regarding the meaning behind the theme, Nisa Oktavia Ramadani, the Vice Chief Executive of AECP 8.0, said,

“Every person has their own magic and creativity that they should express without limits.”

AECP 8.0 is planned to be held on 4–5 November 2026. The opening ceremony and offline competition will take place at Politeknik Negeri Bandung, while some online competition stages will begin in late October. Through this event, the committee hopes to create a larger and more accessible competition for high school students from different regions in Indonesia. By opening several online categories, students from outside Bandung can also participate more easily without worrying too much about transportation and accommodation costs.

Compared to previous years, AECP 8.0 plans to bring several new improvements. One of the biggest changes is the competition system, which now includes online, hybrid, and offline categories. The committee explained that this system was created to make AECP easier to join for students from many provinces. With online competition, participants can compete from their own cities without needing to travel directly to Bandung. This also gives students from outside Java more opportunities to participate in the event and experience the excitement of AECP.

Talking about the new competition system, Zidan Malikal Fauzi, the Chief Executive of AECP 8.0, explained,

“We want AECP to become wider on a national level and reach more provinces through the online competitions.”

This year, AECP 8.0 are planning to feature seven competition categories designed to support different talents and interests. The online competitions include Podcast, Poster Design, and Newscasting competitions. Meanwhile, the hybrid competitions consist of Video Content Creation (VCC) and Story Writing. For the offline category, participants can compete in Speech and Storytelling competitions. Through these categories, AECP hopes to provide students with more choices and opportunities to show their skills in different forms of English expressions and creativity.

The committee also explained that certificates and achievements from competitions can become useful support for students who plan to continue their studies to university. Besides academic benefits, participants are also expected to gain new experiences, friendships, and motivation to keep improving their English skills in the future. Through AECP, students are not only learning about competition, but also about teamwork, confidence, creativity, and communication skills that can be useful for their future.

Besides the competition, the committee is also planning to feature a special opening act at the grand opening ceremony to welcome participants and bring the magical atmosphere of AECP 8.0 to life. The committee hopes the opening ceremony can create an exciting and memorable beginning for all participants and audiences. With the magical concept of “Aetheria,” the event is expected to give participants an unforgettable experience from the beginning until the end of the competition.

This time, AECP 8.0 targeted around 350 participants from different regions in Indonesia. The committee hopes to reach students not only from Java but also from other islands such as Sumatra and Sulawesi. Through its national vision, AECP 8.0 hopes to become a platform where talented students can show their creativity, build confidence, and connect with others through English. The committee also hopes that AECP can continue growing and become one of the most anticipated English competitions for high school students in Indonesia.

As the event gets closer, the committee hopes that AECP 8.0 will continue to improve and provide a meaningful experience for all participants and organizers. More than just an English competition, AECP is a place where high school students can learn, grow, and show their potential. According to the committee, competitions like AECP can help students understand their strengths and weaknesses in English while encouraging them to keep improving. By joining the event, participants can practice their English skills, develop their creativity, and gain valuable experience. They can also build confidence by meeting and competing with students from different regions in Indonesia.

The positive impact of AECP can also be seen through the experiences of previous participants. Adelia Alfita Ramadhani from SMKN 1 Cimahi, a participant of AECP 6.0 and the 3rd place winner of the Story Writing category, shared,

"Personally, AECP has a big impact on my confidence in learning and exploring English in the future. Especially, I got a chance to achieve 3rd place in the Story Writing category, so it was very memorable for me."

She also appreciated the friendly and supportive committee throughout the competition.

Similarly, Muhammad Emir Faadhil Saadilah from SMKN 1 Cimahi, a participant of AECP 7.0 in the Video Content Creation category, said,

"AECP 7.0 was a successful and memorable event. Through this event, we got to know many people from different schools and institutions. I was very happy to participate and would love to join again in the future."

His experience highlights how AECP not only provides a platform for competition but also creates opportunities for students to build connections and gain valuable experiences.

For high-school students who are ready to challenge themselves and develop their English skills, AECP 8.0 offers an opportunity that should not be missed. Through its unique magical concept, diverse competition categories, and the chance to connect with talented students from across Indonesia, AECP 8.0 aims to provide an experience that goes beyond competition. Participants can gain valuable skills, build confidence, and create achievements that may support their future academic journey. As the event approaches, students are encouraged to stay updated with the latest information through the official Instagram account, @aecpolban. Don't miss the chance to let your creativity shine and discover the magic within every word at AECP 8.0: Aetheria.