HEC Recognises 23 Pakistani Students for Medals at International Science Olympiads 2026

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has recognised 23 Pakistani students who represented the country at the 2026 International Science Olympiads (ISOs), where the national squad collected seven medals along with several other distinctions. The students competed in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence, reflecting the broadening scope of Pakistan's participation in elite academic contests.

According to the commission, the team's haul included one silver medal, six bronze medals, five honorable mentions, one Certificate of Merit and one Certificate of Recognition. Hassan Atif Cheema was the standout performer, claiming a silver medal at the International Biology Olympiad. Pakistan also made its first official appearance at the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), a milestone that underlined the country's growing interest in AI-focused academic training.

The students were celebrated at a ceremony organised by the STEM Careers Programme, with HEC Chairman Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (S.I.) attending as chief guest. He congratulated the participants and distributed cash prizes and certificates in recognition of their performance at the international competitions.

The HEC chairman also acknowledged the contributions of parents, teachers and mentors from the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), COMSATS Lahore, the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE-C) and the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi, whose training and support helped prepare the students for the global stage.

Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar reaffirmed the commission's and the government's commitment to promoting scientific talent and supporting the next generation of scientists, researchers and innovators. The recognition highlights the value of national training programmes in preparing students for high-level international competitions and encouraging careers in science and technology.

Pakistan's performance across five disciplines, including a debut in AI, signals widening participation in the olympiad circuit. Such results are typically seen as an indicator of the strength of school and university-level mentoring in the sciences, and they often encourage more students to pursue STEM fields at home.

The ceremony concluded with the distribution of prizes and certificates, as HEC reiterated its support for programmes that identify and nurture exceptional scientific ability among Pakistani students.