Iran sees 40% surge in scientific Olympiad participation, reaching record high
Participation in Iran's scientific Olympiad competitions has jumped 40% year-over-year, with student numbers rising from 87,000 in the Iranian year 1403 (March 2024–March 2025) to 121,000 this year, according to Reza Hosseini, head of the Young Scholars Club.
This marks the highest participation level in the past decade, Hosseini told ISNA, highlighting growing interest in STEM and related fields among Iranian youth.
Tehran, Razavi Khorasan, and Mazandaran provinces recorded the largest absolute numbers of participants.
When adjusted for student population, North Khorasan led with 24% participation, followed by Mazandaran, South Khorasan, and Kordestan.
Some provinces showed particularly sharp growth: Markazi province saw a 232% increase, Kerman 119%, and Ardabil 109%, Hosseini noted.Gender distribution was nearly even, with boys comprising 52% of participants and girls 48%.
Iran continues to perform strongly on the global stage, ranking eighth worldwide in international Olympiads.
Last year, the country placed third in mathematics, seventh in computer science, and eighth in physics.
Hosseini pointed out that major powers like China and the United States, along with leading technology companies, actively recruit Iranian Olympiad winners, underscoring the talent pool's international appeal.
To support these gifted students, Iran offers special incentives: Gold medalists from international Olympiads are exempt from the national university entrance exam (Konkoor) and can directly pursue related majors.
For example, gold winners in the International Biology Olympiad can study medical sciences, while those in mathematics or physics can enter technical and engineering fields.
The Young Scholars Club, established in 1366 (1987–1988), organizes domestic Olympiads and prepares students for international competitions in fields including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, astronomy, and astrophysics.
Hosseini emphasized the club's goal of elevating Iran's global ranking further.
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Iran sees 40% surge in scientific Olympiad participation
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