Science olympiads’ winners honoured

The award distribution ceremony for the 7th National Science Talent Contest (NSTC) was held at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) secretariat on Tuesday. HEC Chairperson Dr Javaid R Laghari, presided over the ceremony. The students groomed under the NSTC participated in International Science Olympiads in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. All four members of Pakistani team won bronze medals in the International Biology Olympiad held in Taiwan from July 10-17. Two students won bronze medals and two honorable mentions in the International Physics Olympiad hosted by Thailand from July 10-18. Two of the four Pakistani team members won bronze medals, while one of them clinched honorable mention in the International Chemistry Olympiad held in Turkey from July 10-18.
In the International Mathematical Olympiad held from July 16-24 in the Netherlands, one Pakistani student won bronze medal and one honorable mention.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Laghari said, “I am happy to see that the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Careers programme, a joint venture of the HEC and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, grooms and provides avenues to participate in international competitions for these youngsters. This is an innovative and enterprising activity for encouraging and providing incentive to the youth.” The chairperson said that a trained and educated human mind was recognised as the most precious asset of a country since it was able to overcome any shortcomings in resources a country may face. “Pakistan is doubly blessed with an abundance of natural resources as well as bright young minds. However, it is only through education that we will be able to make use of our resources and rapidly progress like other developed countries of the world.”
HEC Executive Director Dr Sohail Naqvi appreciated the winners of the olympiads, adding that he saw the future of Pakistan in safe hands. “This ceremony is organised not to recognise the prizes that these students have won but the talent that they have. They have taken the world head on and made their country proud.” He shared with the audience the achievements of the HEC over the last eight to nine years, explaining how different initiatives of the Commission had changed the overall landscape of higher education in Pakistan.
NSTC is an extension of the National Physics Talent Contest (NPTC) that was launched by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in 1995. The key objective of NPTC was to give recognition at the highest level to talented science students who excelled in national competitions and could represent the country in international olympiads.