ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has achieved another stellar milestone in global science as its brilliant young physics team secured three bronze medals and two honorable mentions at the prestigious 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), held in Bucaramanga, Colombia.
The high-stakes academic tournament featured more than 400 exceptional young problem-solvers representing over 90 countries worldwide.
Meet Pakistan’s Top Performers
The national team demonstrated remarkable theoretical and experimental acumen, with three students earning podium finishes and another two securing distinguished institutional mentions:
- Bronze Medalists:
- Zulfiqar Ali (Government City Boys School, Dera Ghazi Khan)
- Ali Hamdan Alvi (FG Sir Syed College, Rawalpindi)
- Daniyal Shahzad Hamid (The Science School, Rawat, Islamabad)
- Honorable Mentions:
- Hazza Mahmood (Aitchison College, Lahore)
- Abdullah Ejaz (Siddeeq Public School, Rawalpindi)
“Achievements like these inspire the next generation of innovators, scientists, and problem-solvers who will contribute to Pakistan’s future progress.”
Nurturing Elite STEM Talent
The team’s success is a direct result of the 22nd National Science Talent Contest (NSTC), an initiative run under the umbrella of the STEM Careers Programme. The national program operates as a collaborative venture between the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS).
To prepare for the global stage, the students underwent months of intensive residential training camps at the PIEAS campus under the direction of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). The delegation to Colombia was led by veteran academic mentors Prof. Dr. Muhammad Irfan and Dr. Muhammad Waseem of PIEAS.
Since the inception of the STEM Careers Programme, more than 365 Pakistani students have gone on to represent the country globally, bringing home a combined total of 144 medals. This latest international triumph underscores the critical role that sustained investments in STEM education play in building Pakistan’s competitive, technology-driven future.
