Pakistani students secured one gold and two silver medals at the international competition in Jeddah, while Islamabad was selected to host the next edition in 2027.
Pakistani Students Shine in Jeddah
Pakistan has won three medals at the third International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO-2026) held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marking a notable achievement for the country’s young scientific talent.
The Pakistani team secured one gold and two silver medals during the competition, which was held from August 2 to 8.
Muhammad Ali, representing Government College University (GCU), Lahore, won the gold medal for Pakistan. Meanwhile, Muhammad Usman and Seerat Fatima Bhatti secured silver medals.
Another Pakistani student, Syed Shuja Haider, also represented the country at the international event.
Students From 19 Countries Participate
The Olympiad, backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), brought together around 120 students and experts from 19 countries.
Participants came from countries including China, Japan, Russia, Türkiye, Malaysia, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, providing students with an opportunity to compete internationally and exchange knowledge with their peers.
The event focuses on nuclear science and its peaceful applications, while also encouraging students to develop a deeper understanding of scientific concepts and their practical uses.
Students Selected Through Pakistan’s National Olympiad
The Pakistani participants were selected through the Pakistan Nuclear Science Olympiad (PANSO), an initiative of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC).
The programme aims to identify promising young students with an interest and aptitude in nuclear science and provide them with opportunities to further develop their scientific skills.
Through such initiatives, students are encouraged to pursue education and future careers in science, technology and nuclear-related fields.
Pakistan wins three bronze medals at 56th International Physics Olympiad
Promoting Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Science
The International Nuclear Science Olympiad is designed for secondary-school students and seeks to promote scientific excellence as well as international cooperation in the field of nuclear science and technology.
The competition allows young participants to demonstrate their knowledge while learning about the peaceful applications of nuclear science.
These applications extend across several areas, including energy, medicine, agriculture, industry and scientific research.
Pakistan’s performance at the Jeddah competition therefore highlights the capabilities of its young students and the country’s efforts to encourage scientific education.
Pakistan to Host INSO in 2027
In another significant development, Pakistan has been selected to host the fourth International Nuclear Science Olympiad in 2027.
The announcement represents another milestone for Pakistan’s participation in the international scientific community and will provide an opportunity for the country to host students and experts from around the world.
On the occasion of Pakistan’s selection as the next host country, Dr Muhammad Maqsood from the PAEC Directorate of Education and Dr Sajjad Tahir from the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) received a commemorative memento.
Hosting the 2027 Olympiad is also expected to provide Pakistani students with greater exposure to international scientific collaboration and encourage broader interest in nuclear science.
A Boost for Young Scientific Talent
Pakistan’s three-medal performance in Jeddah comes as a positive recognition of the country’s young scientific talent.
The combination of a gold medal, two silver medals and the selection of Pakistan as the host for the next Olympiad underlines the growing emphasis on developing students’ capabilities in nuclear science and related disciplines.
With the fourth INSO scheduled to take place in Pakistan in 2027, the country will have an opportunity not only to showcase its scientific talent but also to strengthen international cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology.
