Pakistan has earned another international achievement after its students secured a Silver Medal and a Merit Certificate at the 37th International Biology Olympiad (IBO 2026), held in Vilnius, Lithuania, from July 12 to 19, 2026.
The Pakistani participants were selected through the STEM Careers Program, a collaborative initiative of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS). The program identifies talented students and prepares them to compete in prestigious international science competitions.
Hassan Atif Cheema, a student of International School Lahore (Legacy Campus), brought home the Silver Medal for Pakistan, while Muhammad Mutahir from Karachi Grammar School received a Merit Certificate. The Olympiad featured more than 350 students from over 90 countries, making it one of the world’s most respected biology competitions for high school students.
The national team was chosen through the 22nd National Science Talent Contest (NSTC) under the STEM Careers Program. After the selection process, the students underwent intensive residential training at the National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), a constituent college of PIEAS operating under the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC).
The training program was conducted by experienced national and international experts to prepare the students for the demanding international competition. The Pakistani delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Asma Imran and Dr. Aamir Ali of NIBGE College (PIEAS), who guided the students throughout their preparation and participation.
Pakistan has consistently participated in international science competitions, joining the International Physics Olympiad in 2001, the International Mathematics Olympiad in 2005, and the International Biology and Chemistry Olympiads since 2006. Since the launch of the STEM Careers Program, more than 365 Pakistani students have represented the country in global science Olympiads, collectively winning 144 international medals.
Through over 256 advanced training camps, more than 5,000 students have received specialized scientific education, highlighting the continued efforts of PAEC and PIEAS to nurture future scientists, researchers, and innovators while strengthening Pakistan’s presence in international science competitions.
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