Whiz kids ready to take stage in Netherlands
dubai — Six students from various schools in the UAE are aiming for gold at the International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) 2017 happening in the Netherlands until December 12.
The IJSO is a science and technology olympiad where students aged fifteen or younger from around 50 countries compete with one another over a 10-day period. Each country is represented by a team consisting of three to six members. The competition is held in a different country every year.
Last year, Kaoushik Murugan, a student from Delhi Private School, Dubai grabbed bronze at the IJSO 2016 in Bali, Indonesia. This year, he is back in the Olympiad to get a better finish. He will be joined by Anuradha Asokan Nair (Indian High School, Dubai), Niranjan Jayanath (The Millennium School, Dubai), Mohammed Numan (Our Own English High School, Sharjah), Pranav Chandrasekhar (Our Own High School, Al warqa’a) and Sanoja Pai (JSS Private School, Dubai).
They will be competing against students from 54 other countries in this year’s competition revolving around the theme ‘Water and Sustainability.’
Murugan told Khaleej Times: “We have been preparing for the competition since the summer vacation. I won a bronze last year and I am determined to get a gold medal for the UAE this year.”
His parents added: “We are thrilled that Kaoushik has once again been selected for the IJSO competition that will take place in the Netherlands. Kaoushik worked very hard and is hoping to do his best to represent the UAE. As parents we hope that the competition will be an enriching experience for all the participants.”
The IJSO is aimed at “challenging, stimulating and encouraging students in their early age to further develop their competencies in natural science. This precious event aims to share best practices and forge the spirit of amity of our children through science,” according to the International Olympiad Foundation (IOF), the official body for short-listing students from UAE to international olympiads.
“Another important objective of the Olympiads is for young people to experience different cultures and to bring about interactions between students from across the world. Thus, the Olympiads have a potential to promote global peace and understanding,” the group added.
angel@khaleejtimes.com
participant, IJSO
We have been preparing for the competition since the summer vacation. I won a bronze last year and I am determined to get a gold medal for the UAE this year.” Kaoushik Murugan,