Nigeria To Host The 2013 International Science Olympiad.
The Nigerian Turkish Nile University (NTNU) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Mathematical Center (NMC) is set to host the annual International Science Olympiad (ISO) from May 27th to 31st in Abuja. The Olympiad will bring together science students from twenty one countries across the world.
The forum is one of the only two Regional Olympiads in Africa with no less than twenty one countries from around the world competing to be picked as one of the top young international science students of the competition. According to organisers, the competition is for nineteen-year old secondary school students who are curious in science and willing to pursue a career in the sciences.
This event, they said, is an excellent way of tapping into the potentials of young students who need encouragement in the sciences and a time to recognise outstanding achievements of these students, in the sciences.
The intent of the Olympiad, Prof. Huseyin Sert, Vice Chancellor of the NTNU in a press statement yesterday said is to encourage students to get themselves more involved in the sciences. “We are particular about Africa. There are various Olympiads organised around the world but little chance is given to Africa. Africa as a whole has only two regional Olympiads. Over the years the numbers of participants have grown and we hope that in the future African countries will be given more prominence in the various Olympiads around the world.”
He added that, the lack of encouragement and motivation in sciences has contributed to the decline of students registering in science subjects in higher institutions, which has also contributed to failure in sciences in exams. Participants will be tested on a wide science knowledge, concepts, science processes and thinking skills and science application and technology.
Countries expected include Turkey, Mali, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Uganda, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Afghanistan, Malawi, Mauritania, Togo, Senegal and South Africa.
