International Science competitions: Pakistani students win five medals
Four teams of Pakistani students won five medals, including one silver, in four international science competitions this year.
The events were the 23rd International Biology Olympiad (IBO), 44th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), 53rd International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), and 43rd International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), according to a statement issued by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Sunday.
The Pakistani students were facilitated under the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Careers Programme, a joint venture of the HEC and Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Pakistan has been participating in these competitions since 2001.
The IBO was hosted by Singapore between July 8 and 15 this year; 236 students from 59 countries participated in the event. Of the three Pakistani students who participated in the event, Usama Tahir from Lahore Grammar School, Lahore, and Hafsa Shahab from Lahore Grammar School, Islamabad, won bronze medals, while Hassan Mirza from Lahore Grammar School, Lahore got an honourable mention.
The IPhO was hosted by Estonia from July 15 to July 24, with a total of 400 students from 88 countries participating. Of the five Pakistani participants, Muhammad Taimoor Iftikhar from Rangers Public School & College, Mandi Bahauddin won a bronze medal.
The IChO was hosted by the United States, from July 21 to July 30. About 270 students from 70 countries participated in the event. Of the four Pakistanis there, Armughan Ahmad Khan from Lahore Grammar School, Lahore won a bronze medal.
The IMO was hosted by Argentina from July 8 to July 16, with 600 students from 100 countries participating. Waqar Ali Syed of Beaconhouse Karachi won the silver medal while Huma Sibghat from Hamza Army Public School & College Rawalpindi earned an honourable mention.
The National Science Talent Contest targets students from 2,500 colleges. Every year, more than 6,000 students with 70% or better marks in their matriculation or O’ levels exams take part in the contest.
Fifty of the top scorers in each NSTC subject are selected on the basis of their performance in the screening test.
The students selected under the programme have also secured admissions with scholarships in some of the world’s top universities.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2012.
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Congragulations ! Yes, our media is more attracted toward frenzy n mayhem news, they are not involved in the betterment of education in our country ! This is really alarming ! I myself is the part of this National Science Talent Contest, its just a wonderful competition, not just a competion its a way to learn, a way to get exposure to ''SCIENCE'' ! n yes again i believe the students finally selected for the olympaid are given less time for preparation, otherwise our talented youth is capable to transcend much !
No coverage on media for these real heroes, no encouragement from ministers, no appreciation from science and engineering councils. Only people like aga water get appreciation.
The youth is the future of Pakistan.
Good.
Congrats for all the hard work!! Waqar was just one point away from winning a gold medal in the math olympiad. While I don't like this olympiad thing, I still feel if students in Pakistan are interested in joining them, we need to better train them for a long time. Skills are needed to tackle the questions. Pakistani students can emerge as "top in the world" in A-level subjects because of the preparation involved. Paying attention to this preparation is crucial if we want many more medals in various olympiads.
If these kids are reading this: Pls don't abandon our dear motherland when you enter professional lives. Pursue best education, but do come back to Pakistan! Wish you best of luck; you guys are the future of Pakistan! :)
Brilliant ! Congrats and Thanks for raising Pakistan's name ion global n these fields.
Well done guys! keep it up :)