India Shines At 35th International Biology Olympiad 2024 In Kazakhstan

The Indian team, which participated at the 35th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) 2024 achieved remarkable success, with one student winning a GOLD medal and three students securing SILVER medals.

About 35th International Biology Olympiad (IBO), 2024

The 35th IBO was held at Astana, Kazakhstan, from July 7 to July 13, 2024. The team was led by two distinguished leaders, Prof. Sasikumar Menon from TDM Lab, Mumbai, and Dr. Mayuri Rege from Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), TIFR and two Scientific Observers, Dr. Rajesh Patkar from IIT Bombay, and Dr. Devesh Suthar from M. S. University, Baroda.

305 students representing 80 countries

This year’s IBO saw participation from 305 students representing 80 countries. A total of 29 gold medals were awarded. The competition included four 1.5-hour experimental examinations and two 3.25-hour theory examinations. The experimental tests covered diverse topics: Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics. Highlights of these exams included dissections of sheep eyeballs, plasmid purification, protein quantitation, rigorous pH titration, using methods like PCA and sequence analysis.

Appreciation for training

The theory tests presented challenging questions based on cutting-edge research in areas such as plant biology, cell biology, ethology, and biosystematics. The teachers and mentors from across the country and the Biology Olympiad cell of HBCSE deserve appreciation for training the students during the orientation and pre-departure camps at HBCSE.

Nodal centre of the country

The National Steering Committee, all the teacher organisations and the funding agencies of the Government of India also deserve special mention for their continued strong support of the Olympiad programme. A major national Olympiad programme in basic sciences and mathematics which connects to the international Olympiads is in operation in India. The HBCSE is the nodal centre of the country for this programme.

Aims of the programs

The programme aims at promoting excellence in science and mathematics among pre-university students. Among the sciences, the Olympiad programme in Astronomy (junior and senior level), Biology, Chemistry, Junior Science and Physics is a five stage process for each subject separately.

First stage for each subject

The first stage for each subject is organized by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) in collaboration with teacher associations in other subjects. The remaining stages for Astronomy (senior level), Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are organized by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE). The remaining stages for Astronomy (junior level) are handled by the National Centre for Science Museums (NCSM). All stages of the Junior Science Olympiad are handled by IAPT.

The medal winners

  • Vedant Sakre (GOLD) from Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Ishan Pednekar (SILVER) from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
  • Shrijith Sivakumar (SILVER) from Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  • Yashashwi Kumar (SILVER) from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh

 

trilok

Recent Posts

VARUNA 2025: Strengthening India-France Naval Cooperation

The 23rd edition of the bilateral naval exercise VARUNA, a symbol of the strong maritime…

1 min ago

World Sparrow Day 2025: Date, Significance and History

World Sparrow Day is celebrated every year on March 20th to raise awareness about the…

11 mins ago

Sunita Williams’ Return: What Happens After NASA Astronauts’ Landing on Earth?

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams safely returned to Earth on March 18, 2025…

2 hours ago

Who was Known as the Prince of Mathematics?

Many brilliant minds have shaped the field of mathematics, but one individual stands out for…

16 hours ago

Which Country is Known as the Britain of the East?

Many countries around the world are compared to others because of their geography, power or…

17 hours ago

US Travel Ban 2025: Impact on 43 Countries

US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a travel ban on citizens from 43 countries…

19 hours ago