16 Young Bangladeshis to Compete at IMSO

Sixteen young Bangladeshi students with interests ranging from mathematics and science to programming, chess and Rubik’s Cube solving will represent the country at an international competition. The 23rd International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) will be held from October 2 to 7 in Depok, West Java, Indonesia. Bangladesh will compete with eight students in mathematics and eight in science.

The members of the Bangladesh team were introduced at a press conference held at the World Literature Centre in Banglamotor, Dhaka, on on September 29,Tuesday. Munir Hasan, president of Bangladesh Open Source Network (BDOSN) and Bangladesh Science Popularization Society (SPSB), read out the written statement.

“Last year, all 12 of our students won medals on their first participation. This year the team is larger and the preparation has been more intensive. If we can develop a love for mathematics and science from the primary level, it will one day become one of the country’s greatest assets,” Munir Hasan said.

From 800 to 16

The Bangladesh Mathematics and Science Olympiad (BDMSO) was launched last year to encourage primary-level students to develop interest in mathematics and science. The competition was held for the second time this year.

Around 800 students participated in the national round simultaneously in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Rangpur on August 8. A national online camp for the winners was held from August 11 to 20. Following team-selection examinations on August 21 and 22, the final 16 participants were selected for the mathematics and science teams.

A residential preparation camp was held in Dhaka from September 15 to 18. The students prepared through hands-on laboratory exercises and problem-solving sessions.

Mim Naz Rahman, mentor of the science team, said, “At the camp, we focused on teaching them to think rather than memorize. The interest I saw in their eyes while conducting experiments with their own hands in the laboratory was our greatest achievement.”

Young Competitors, Big Dreams

The team members are excited about competing abroad for the first time and meeting peers from different countries. Tahmid Hasan, a member of the science team, said, “It will be my first time going abroad and taking an exam with competitors from other countries. I am a little nervous, but I am much more excited. I want to bring a medal home for the country.”

Parents are also proud of their children’s participation in the international competition. Humayun Kabir, parent of the team’s youngest member, Raiyan Afrad, said, “He has loved asking questions since childhood. I never imagined that this curiosity would take him to an international stage carrying the country’s flag. We are grateful to the organizers.”

The International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) is an international competition for primary school students. Initiated by Indonesia, the Olympiad is now held annually in different countries. Students under the age of 13 are eligible to participate.

Bangladesh made its IMSO debut at the 22nd edition in Kedah, Malaysia, last year and achieved a 100 percent medal success. All 12 members of the team won medals, including two silver and 10 bronze medals.

Bangladesh Team Members

Mathematics Team

• Arijit Saha — St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Grade 6; National Round Mathematics Champions Trophy winner.
• Ali Omar — St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Grade 6; highest scorer and Best Champions Trophy winner in the national round.
• Md. Nabi Hossain — St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Grade 6.
• Ihan Abrad Rahman — St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Grade 6.
• Md. Samin Saif — St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Grade 6.
• Sharaf Bin Anwar — St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Grade 6.
• Md. Shahid Morsalin — St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Grade 6.
• Irtish Zayed Liam — St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Grade 5.

Science Team

• Tahmid Hasan — Manarat Dhaka International School and College, Grade 6; National Round Science Champions Trophy winner.
• Abhigyan Roy Golpo — SFX Greenherald International School, Grade 6.
• Sahabi Ibn Kabya — St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Grade 6.
• Rafsan Shafik Talukdar — Banwari Lal Government High School, Sirajganj, Grade 6.
• Arham Abid — Basirah International School, Grade 6.
• Md. Miftahul Islam — Mymensingh International School, Grade 5.
• Raiyan Afrad — St. Joseph International School, Grade 4.
• Mohammad Mushrif Alam — A.G. Church School, Grade 4.

Team Leader and Mentors

• Team Leader: Munir Hasan, president of BDOSN and SPSB; Country Coordinator, IMSO Bangladesh.
• Assistant Team Leader: Md. Tanvirul Islam, program manager, BDOSN.
• Mathematics Team Mentor: Samira Sumaiya, Architecture, BUET.
• Science Team Mentor: Mim Naz Rahman, EEE, RUET.

The Bangladesh Mathematics and Science Olympiad is organized by Bangladesh Open Source Network (BDOSN), Bangladesh Science Popularization Society (SPSB), and MASLab.

//DBTech/BDOP/TPL/NAP//