Tehran – The Young Scholars Club was established in Iran 1366 (1987-1988) with the aim of promoting and expanding basic science in Iran.
This club is responsible for organizing the Science Olympiad and preparing students to participate in international scientific competitions in various fields such as mathematics, physics, literature, biology, computer science, chemistry, astronomy, and astrophysics.
In an exclusive interview with Tehran Times, Reza Hosseini, Chairman of the Young Scholars Club, elaborated on the achievements of the past years and pointed out that young and talented Iranian students are a source of honor for the country. In his opinion, the Young Scholars Club embodied the goals of scientific diplomacy and national superiority.
Below are excerpts from the interview.
It is a source of honor for Iran to be one of the top 10 countries in the International Olympics. At the International Astrology and Astrophysics Olympiad, we won 5 gold medals and took first place for the second consecutive year. This is very important and valuable.
Ranked 3rd at the International Biology Olympiad. At the International Economic Olympiad, Japan achieved its highest ranking ever, ranking 18th out of 54 countries, compared to just one country from the bottom five years ago.
In the Artificial Intelligence Olympiad, the country ranked 8th. The country ranked 12th in the International Mathematics Olympiad, up seven places from last year.
In the Chemistry Olympiad and Physics Olympiad, Iranian students won four silver medals and five silver medals, respectively.
Our talented young people have the ability to organize events of international level with the participation of 73 countries under the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Our Science Olympiad elites are currently active in educating young people in approximately 20 countries around the world. In short, their Science Olympiad team members are trained by our nation’s young elite. And this is a source of great honor.
This is partly done in person, as they are invited to different countries. For example, today one of our students was invited to Saudi Arabia to train the country’s national team. And another part of education is online.
Currently, 20 countries are taking advantage of this capability of our country. I’m really proud. The change we have made from a passive situation to a proactive and effective situation is invaluable. We are now very influential players in the world.
For example, we organized the Olympics, and the Zionist regime also applied to participate, but Iranian youth removed them from the list. And this is an example of the potential of Iran’s talented youth, who, if encouraged, can achieve great things.
In parallel with this, many students planned and held the Iranian Geometry Olympiad this year. The Olympic Games, which attract 10,000 participants, is held simultaneously in more than 200 cities in 52 countries around the world.
We are in a science diplomacy environment that has a huge impact on many countries around the world. And this is great. We are proud of the fact that our country is among the top 10 in the world in this regard. Thankfully, some of our science competitions are among the top 10 events in the world.
This is very valuable and I hope that this will serve as an opportunity for our country to become one of the top 10 countries in various industries in the near future. Our university should be among the top 10 in the world.
With support and conditions favorable, this is an important issue. Of course, we have hosted the International Olympics in the past few years. Last year, we hosted the International Physics Olympiad. In 2017 and 2018, it hosted the Computer Olympiad and the Biology Olympiad. In 2009, it hosted the Astrology and Astrophysics Olympiad. It also hosted the International Physics Olympiad in 2007.
And organizing these events was a lot of work. And it is very worthwhile to be the host of many countries and host the Olympics. And that will have a huge positive impact on how other countries view us.
This issue will change the false and false image of our country in the Western media. Once they see that, they take it very seriously, which is invaluable. Interestingly, when our country was nominated to host the International Physics Olympiad, many countries, especially European countries, tried to deprive Iran of this opportunity, using various excuses such as Iran is not safe and Iran does not have the capacity.
But, by the grace of God, our Scientific Committee started diplomacy with other countries and took preemptive steps to ensure that Iran managed to hold the event. Although some countries did not participate, the 2024 International Physics Olympiad was held in Iran with 46 countries participating.
And we held this competition in the city of Isfahan to showcase Iran’s historical, civilizational and cultural heritage and prove that Iran has always been a great country with a long history and a defender of peace.
Apart from the fact that we are proud to be a world-class team at the Olympics, it is good that the Young Scholars Club is becoming a center of education and training for young people around the world.
Well, clubs have the potential to provide conditions that impact the world. We can teach them and define the policies they accept. Perhaps someone reading this from the outside does not think that this is a possibility, but the reality is that this kind of ability exists among young and talented students.
Our first place at the International Olympics shows that we have the potential to influence the world in this field. Well, the fact that we are one of the best countries in the world and no other country comes close in this region shows that we must play a greater role in developing talented young people in this region.
And there will always be a place for this topic. Thankfully, the International Olympics were held in this country under the title of Combined Olympics. It is an Olympics designed by Iran’s elite. And the remaining countries must also apply to participate in this Olympics. And it is very interesting that this year, 73 countries have applied to participate in this Olympics.