A Landmark Victory for Pakistani Science Students

In a remarkable breakthrough, Pakistan has won its first-ever Gold Medal at the prestigious International Biology Olympiad (IBO), bringing international recognition to the country’s budding scientific talent.

Abdul Raffay Paracha clinched the gold at the 35th IBO, held in the Philippines from July 20 to 27, 2024. This victory is a historic achievement and showcases the effectiveness of the country’s growing focus on science education and student development.

Backed by National STEM Initiatives

The Pakistani team participated under the STEM Careers Programme, a collaborative effort between the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS). The programme is designed to identify and nurture talented students in the fields of biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

The delegation was led by Dr. Asma Imran and Dr. Asma Rehman from the National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), affiliated with PIEAS and operating under the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC).

Other Notable Performances

In addition to Paracha’s outstanding performance, Ayyan Aslam of Government College University, Lahore, earned an Honourable Mention. Fellow team members Sadia Zulfiqar from Rawalpindi and Arooj Fatima from Shakargarh also represented Pakistan with distinction.

Meanwhile, at the 55th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) held in France, Daniyal Shahzad Hamid from Rawat, Islamabad, secured a Bronze Medal for Pakistan. Furthermore, Muhammad Bilal of Lahore received an Honourable Mention, while Eiman Fatima from Fazaia Inter College, Rawalpindi, won the Thales Solidarity IPhO Award, including a €5,000 grant and a one-year mentorship.

Building a Strong Future in Science

PIEAS continues to lead national scientific development through the National Science Talent Contest (NSTC). Since its inception, over 380 Pakistani students have represented the nation in International Science Olympiads (ISOs), earning more than 140 medals. More than 4,500 students have undergone advanced training through 240+ national science camps.

Each year, top students from 19 cities across Pakistan are selected and trained at HEC-designated institutes including NIBGE-C for Biology, HEJ Research Institute for Chemistry, COMSATS Lahore for Mathematics, and PIEAS for Physics.

Pakistan’s success at the International Olympiads reflects the country’s growing capacity to compete at the highest levels of scientific excellence. These achievements not only honor the students but also inspire the next generation of researchers and innovators.

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