Pakistan bags three medals at Nuclear Science Olympiad

In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a contingent of Pakistan's brightest young minds clinched a trifecta of medals at the 3rd International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO-2026), held from August 2 to 8, 2026. The prestigious event, organized under the guidance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), drew approximately 120 students and experts from a diverse array of nations, including China, Japan, Russia, Turkiye, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.

The Pakistani delegation, meticulously chosen and honed by the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) with the backing of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), emerged victorious with one gold and two silver medals. Muhammed Ali, hailing from Government College University in Lahore, claimed the gold, while Muhammed Usman from F.G. Sir Syed College in Rawalpindi and Seerat Fatima from Nixor College in Karachi shared the silver.

Syed Shuja Haider, representing Pakistan from Sundar STEM School in Lahore, also contributed to the team's success. The students' selection was a result of the Pakistan Nuclear Science Olympiad, an initiative by PAEC to identify and foster young scientific talent for international competitions.

Pakistani triumphs at INSO-2026 were further sweetened by the announcement of the country's hosting duties for the 4th International Nuclear Science Olympiad in 2027. During the event, Dr. Muhammad Maqsood from PAEC's Directorate of Education and Dr. Sajjad Tahir from PIEAS received commemorative mementos in recognition of their contributions to nurturing Pakistan's scientific future.