DUBAI, 11th July, 2023 (WAM) – The 34th edition of the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) came to a close today after a successful 8-day run from 3rd to 10th July 2023 in Al Ain City. This prestigious event was hosted by the UAE and organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU).
The closing ceremony was attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education, Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Chairman of the Organising Committee for the 34th edition of the International Biology Olympiad – the Assistant Undersecretary for the Care and Capacity Building Sector at the Ministry of Education, and Dr. Ahmed Murad, Associate Vice President for Scientific Research at the UAE University, Dr. Lenka Libusová, Chair of the Executive Committee of the International Biological Olympiad, and Dr. Saber Muzaffar, Chairman of the Academic Committee of the 34th edition of the IBO.
Dr. Al Falasi, in his closing ceremony speech, warmly welcomed the participants of the prestigious Olympiad hosted by the UAE, marking the first time it took place in the Arab world. He highlighted the UAE's commitment to becoming a global leader in education and emphasised the importance of fostering a culture of creativity, innovation, and scientific research. Dr. Al Falasi congratulated the talented contestants who emerged victorious from a pool of over 320 students representing 80 countries. He also acknowledged the significant contribution of the 300 jury members and experts from around the world who participated in the Olympiad.
Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, the Cultural Adviser to the President of the UAE and Chancellor of the UAE University, praised the success of the 34th International Biology Olympiad. He highlighted the UAE's growing reputation in science and research, thanks to the development of its universities. Nusseibeh expressed confidence that the university's involvement as a strategic partner will enhance its scientific position and inspire excellence in biology research.
Zaki Nusseibeh stated, “The Olympiad is an opportunity for the sons and daughters of the UAE to develop their scientific research capabilities in the field of biology, which is in line with the keenness of the wise leadership in the country to invest in human capital for the advancement of the society, building a competitive economy based on knowledge, and achieving more record-breaking in the field of human development at the regional and global levels.”
He added that UAEU is committed to fostering creativity, innovation, and skill development in young individuals. Through its strategic plans, it aims to align with the UAE's vision, the UAE Centennial 2071, and establish a robust future based on global scientific excellence.
Dr. Amna Al Shamsi highlighted the improvements made in the International Olympiad, including full digitization of tests to reduce paper usage by eliminating over 65,000 pages. A green education conference was also hosted, focusing on climate change challenges and innovative solutions. These initiatives align with the UAE's national economic strategy, internal and external policies, and efforts to address climate change impacts. The aim is to enhance environmental awareness, promote sustainability in educational institutions, and prepare for the UAE's hosting of the 28th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP 28).
Dr. Al Shamsi mentioned the improvements in test administration, management, and marking, resulting in time savings for participants and organizers. This allowed students and staff to have more leisure time, exploring cultural and entertainment attractions in the UAE. Dr. Al Shamsi congratulated all participants for their valuable contributions and expressed confidence in their potential to make significant discoveries in biology and related fields, benefiting people's quality of life and environmental preservation.
The activities of the 34th edition of the International Biology Olympiad, which is the most important international competition in the field of biology, witnessed many intensive tests that challenged the knowledge and critical thinking skills of the students, in addition to a series of workshops that contributed to enhancing the spirit of friendship, cultural exchange, and intellectual growth among the participants., as well as, making long-lasting partnerships, broadening their scientific horizons, and igniting their curiosity to explore the wonders of biology.
The closing ceremony witnessed the announcement of the winners of the competition who deservedly occupied their seats on the international platform of the International Biology Olympiad. India and Singapore came out on top with four gold medals each, while China, Chinese Taipei and the future Olympic delegation came in second place with three gold medals. As for the UAE, it recorded its first victory in the International Biology Olympiad, where Emirati student Reem Rashid Alnaqbi won a bronze medal.
The participants underwent a total of six tests during the competition, which are the first and second theoretical tests that were implemented via a computer, where the questions centered on topics related to anatomy, Animal and Plant Physiology, Cell Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Behavior, and Biosystems. The other four exams included experiments on Biochemistry, Plant Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, and Ecology and Ethics.
The closing ceremony concluded with the handover of the official IBO flag and trophy from the UAE to Kazakhstan, the host country of the event in 2024.