Bangladesh's young achievers set stage for future scientific triumphs

Six extraordinary young Bangladeshis met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna recently, their bronze medals representing Bangladesh's growing prowess on the world's most prestigious academic stages.

The meeting brought together the nation's newest scientific heroes: Ariz Anas of South Point School and College, Ha-Mim Rahman of Notre Dame College, and Farabid Bin Faisal of Mastermind English Medium School - all bronze medallists from the 36th International Biology Olympiad 2025. They were joined by mathematics champions Jitendra Barua of Chittagong Bakalia Government College, Jawad Hameem Chowdhury of Ideal School and College, and Tahsin Khan of Mymensingh Zilla School - bronze medallists from the 66th International Mathematics Olympiad 2025.

A meaningful exchange of ideas: During the meeting, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus took genuine interest in the students' experiences, listening intently as they shared their competition journeys and the challenges they faced. He praised their achievements and assured continued support from the government in promoting scientific talent.

The fact that students under 20 years are qualified to contest in international olympiads makes these achievements even more remarkable, showcasing the potential of Bangladesh's young generation.

A nation's scientific Renaissance: The achievements of these six students reflect something far more profound than individual brilliance; they represent Bangladesh's quiet but determined march towards scientific excellence.

The diversity of institutions represented by these medallists - from South Point School and College to Mymensingh Zilla School - sends a powerful message that excellence can emerge from various educational backgrounds across the country.

International biology and mathematics olympiads are no ordinary competitions. They're battlegrounds where the world's most gifted young scientists test their mettle against problems that would challenge university students. The fact that Bangladeshi students are not merely participating but winning medals speaks volumes about the quality of education and preparation available in the country.

Bangladesh's success in these olympiads demonstrates the critical importance of encouraging broader participation in international academic competitions. Currently, talented students across the country have limited awareness of the numerous online competitions available to them, representing missed opportunities for recognition and development.

Global online competitions students can join: Besides the biology and mathematics olympiads, there are many other international competitions students can take part in online or virtually, which help build skills and gain recognition. Such as World Maths Day - a large-scale math competition open to all school-aged students globally, World Education Games - includes science, mathematics, and literacy challenges, accessible online, IKCC (International Kids Coding Competition) - coding contests (including Scratch, game-based, etc.) which is free for young programmers around the world, International STEM Research Challenge - for middle and high school students to present original STEM work, International Youth Math Challenge - rounds of problem solving, online exams, with certificates and prizes, Global Student Competition by ISN - contests spanning STEAM, design, debate, entrepreneurship, etc., Global e-Competition on Astronomy & Astrophysics - online event that replaced IOAA for a year, drawing many international participants, Zero Robotics - where students write code to control SPHERES satellites, with initial online rounds and a live component.

These offer additional accessible pathways for students interested in science, math, coding, engineering, and other fields. They also help build portfolios, experience in international competition settings, and exposure to peers worldwide.

The chief adviser's personal engagement with these young achievers sends a clear signal about the government's priorities. In an era where political leadership often focuses on immediate economic concerns, this recognition of academic excellence demonstrates an understanding that long-term national development depends on nurturing scientific talent.

Building on success—the road ahead: The bronze medals won by these six students represent significant achievements, but they also show the potential for even greater success. Countries that regularly dominate these competitions have developed systematic approaches to identifying and nurturing mathematical and scientific talent from an early age.

Bangladesh now has the foundation to build similar systems. The growing expertise of organisations like the Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad Committee and Bangladesh Biology Olympiad Committee provides a platform for enhanced performance in future competitions.

The key lies in scaling up successful practices. The coaching methods that prepared these medallists need to be documented, refined, and made available to a broader pool of students. Teacher training programmes should incorporate olympiad-level problem-solving techniques, even for students who won't compete internationally, as these methods enhance overall understanding.

International recognition and national pride: These olympiad successes are changing international perceptions of Bangladesh's educational capabilities. For too long, the country has been known primarily for its textile industry and economic challenges. These medals showcase a different narrative - one of intellectual achievement and scientific potential.

This shift in perception has practical benefits. International universities and scholarship programmes take notice when students from particular countries perform well in olympiads. These achievements could open doors for future Bangladeshi students seeking higher education abroad, creating a positive cycle of international exposure and knowledge transfer.

The success stories inspire countless other students across the country to believe that international recognition is within their reach. As the meeting at Jamuna concluded, the photographs captured not just personal achievement but national pride. These six young people had shown the world that Bangladesh belongs on the international stage of academic excellence, representing the human capital that will power the country's transformation into a developed nation.

With broader awareness of international competitions, enhanced institutional support, and continued government commitment, Bangladesh's next generation of olympiad participants could achieve even greater success.

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