Most Popular Olympiads in Bangladesh

April 15, 2023, 08:42 AM
by Md. Mehedi Hasan

UNB News
Publish- April 15, 2023, 08:42 AM
Md. Mehedi Hasan
Update- April 15, 2023, 09:41 AM

Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad (Image collected from Facebook)

In recent years, Olympiad competitions are becoming increasingly popular in Bangladesh to promote education and encourage students to explore their interests in various subjects. These competitions not only allow students to showcase their knowledge and skills but also help foster a spirit of healthy competition and encourage academic excellence. Let’s explore some of the most popular Olympiad competitions in Bangladesh and how they are helping to shape the future of education in the country.

What is an Olympiad?

The term "Olympiad" typically refers to an international competition or contest in a particular academic or intellectual field. These competitions often bring together high-performing students from around the world to showcase their skills and knowledge in subjects like mathematics, science, and language arts.

Olympiads can be organized by governments, universities, or other educational institutions, and may include multiple rounds of competition, written exams, and other evaluation methods. Winning an Olympiad is often seen as an achievement and can open up opportunities for further education or career advancement. In Bangladesh, various Olympiads are held each year, covering topics such as mathematics, science, biology, information technology, etc.

8 Popular Olympiads in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad

The Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad Committee (BdMOC) was established in April 2001, and it organizes annual countrywide mathematics festivals that run for several months. The festivals are open to students in schools and colleges up to class XII and usually occur between December and February.

BdMOC has worked tirelessly with Prothom Alo newspaper and Dutch Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) to achieve its primary goal, which is to send a team to the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) with a gold medal. Bangladeshi students have been participating in the IMO since 2005.

This year's mathematical Olympiad will be held through a combination of offline and online events, and registration is mandatory, even for students who have participated in previous years. Registration is online, and details can be found at the official website of BdMOC. The first round is a selection Olympiad, which will be conducted online.

Students who pass this round will be selected for the regional Olympiad which will be held offline in 30 different venues. Winners of the regional Olympiads will be invited to attend the National Olympiad. Several initiatives have been taken to improve the quality of the academic team, logistics, and infrastructure to achieve this goal. Registration is free and open to all students.

Bangladesh Physics Olympiad

The Bangladesh Physics Olympiad (BDPHO) is a prestigious annual competition that aims to identify and nurture talented students with a passion for physics. The competition is organized by the Bangladesh Physics Olympiad Committee, which was established in 2011. The committee comprises a group of physics enthusiasts, educators, and experts who aim to promote physics education in Bangladesh and prepare students for international physics competitions.

8th Bangladesh Physics Olympiad (Image collected from Facebook)

Each year, the BDPHO organizes a series of competitions at the regional, national, and international levels, in collaboration with the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) and other national physics Olympiad committees. The competition is open to high school students who have a passion for physics and a strong foundation in the subject.

The winners of the national competition are selected to represent Bangladesh at the International Physics Olympiad, which is held in different countries each year. The competition comprises theoretical and experimental tests that evaluate the students' understanding of physics concepts and problem-solving skills.

Students of classes 7 to 10 are eligible to participate in the annual Bangladesh Physics Olympiad.

Bangladesh Biology Olympiad

The Bangladesh Biology Olympiad (BdBO) is an organization that runs a yearly biology competition for students. It is important for students to have a deep understanding of living organisms and their processes. This knowledge is essential for explaining natural phenomena, utilizing natural laws for the benefit of society, and living in harmony with the environment.

Bangladesh Biology Olympiad Dhaka South Region (Image collected from Facebook)

Unfortunately, the traditional education system often falls short in providing adequate biological education, so it's important to expand students' knowledge through alternative means. One effective method is through competitive knowledge quests. While competition can be a useful motivator, cooperation is ultimately what drives society forward. Therefore, the goal is to develop a cooperative mindset among all participants.

The competition is divided into four categories based on school level, with each institution allowed to register up to 20 students per category. Any students from classes 6 to 12 can join the program. The event includes registration, a written exam, a question-and-answer session, a scientific seminar, and a ceremony to announce results and distribute certificates and prizes.

First, interested students have to join in district-wise online exams. From there, selected students will be accepted to join the regional exams. Winners of the regional exams then have to register for the national-level competition. National-level winners will then join the International Biology Olympiad. Apart from the district level, all the other exams will be held offline.

The first IBO was organised in 1990 in Czechoslovakia. In Bangladesh, the program was first held on 27th March 2025 at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University.

ICT Olympiad Bangladesh

ICT Olympiad Bangladesh is an annual competition for preschool to university-level students in the field of information and communications technology. It covers a variety of subjects, including Communication Systems and Networking, ICT Fundamentals, Number Systems and Digital Devices, Web Design and HTML, Basic Programming, and Database Management Systems.

ICT Olympiad Bangladesh (Image collected from Facebook)

The event is a significant opportunity for students to increase their self-assurance and acquire knowledge of the most recent ICT trends, thereby preparing them for the Digital Bangladesh vision. Creative IT Institute and Whistle are hosting the event, which is open to students in all classes from 00-02 to Class 12.

The event's slogan is "Road to New Revolution," and participation is encouraged from academia, entrepreneurs, social influencers, professional clubs, eminent personalities, youth leaders, federations, ICT experts, corporate personalities, forum leaders, journalists, authors, guardians, and celebrities.

The competition runs from March to December. ICT Olympiad Bangladesh has started its journey from 2022. The organizing institute is also recognized with the name ICT Olympiad Bangladesh or ICTOB.

Bangladesh Chemistry Olympiad

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Dhaka holds a Biochemistry Olympiad every year at Curzon Hall, typically between December and March. The program is open to students in Class IX-X/SSC/O levels and Class XI-XII/HSC/A levels.

Bangladesh Chemistry Olympiad (Image collected from Facebook)

The event lasts for two days and involves registration, a written exam, a question and answer session, a scientific seminar, and the announcement of results followed by certificate and prize distribution. However, there is no corresponding International Biochemistry Olympiad.

Each institution can register up to 20 students in each category (SSC, O level, HSC, and A level). Bangladesh Chemistry Olympiad was first organized at Curzon Hall of Dhaka University on 18th January 2008.

Inter-school Bangla Olympiad

For the past 12 years, Bangla Olympiad has been hosting the Inter-school Bangla Olympiad in February, which coincides with International Mother Language Day. This competition involves students from all English Medium Schools and English Version schools, and it is supported by renowned intellectuals, artists, linguists, academicians, and media personnel.

Bangladesh Inter-school Bangla Olympiad (Image collected from Facebook)

The event was inspired by the International Festival of Language and Culture, where Bangladeshi English Medium Students have participated in various countries, including Albania, Australia, Germany, Philippines, Romania, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, and Turkey over the past 13 years. The International Hope School Bangladesh has been organizing and sponsoring these events and student participation.

Each school can send up to 2 participants for music, 1 dance group, and 3 participants for other categories per group per category. Students are allowed to participate in only one category.

Bangladesh Junior Science Olympiad

The International Junior Science Olympiad assesses the abilities of students below 18 years old in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. In Bangladesh, the BDJSO selects a team of six individuals to compete in the IJSO each year.

Bangladesh Junior Science Olympiad (Image collected from Facebook)

The Society for the Popularization of Science, Bangladesh (SPSB) is a prominent organization that aims to promote science throughout the country by organizing events such as congresses, Olympiads, camps, workshops, and public lectures.

Students in grades 3-10 studying in schools, colleges, and madrasas from any region in Bangladesh and students in grades 11-12 born after January 1, 2007, are eligible to register and participate. The registration date and event date get published on the official BDJSO website.

Bangladesh Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics

The Bangladesh Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics Committee (BDOAAC) has been officially recognized as the National Olympiad Authority for Bangladesh's team selection. This announcement was made on February 8, 2018, with the permission of the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA).

Comprising ex-nationals and a team of experienced students and teachers, the committee aims to inspire and engage young minds with a passion for space science.

The participants in the International Olympiad are mostly pursuing higher education in astronomy. In the inaugural year, there were 3 rounds of the competition. BDOAAC organized 10 regional competitions, attracting a massive response from over a thousand students.

Eventually, in the second round, 120 finalists competed in the national round held at Jahangirnagar University in Dhaka, under the overall supervision of the committee. In the third round, participants who won in the second round, participated in the International Astro Olympiad.

Conclusion

Bangladesh has a thriving Olympiad culture, with several disciplines represented across various educational levels. These competitions provide a platform for students to showcase their knowledge and skills and encourage them to pursue their interests in a particular field.

From the Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad to the Bangladesh Physics Olympiad, the country has produced many talented individuals who have excelled in international competitions. Furthermore, these Olympiads inspire future generations of students, promoting a culture of academic excellence and intellectual curiosity.

Overall, the popularity of Olympiads in Bangladesh is a testament to the country's commitment to fostering a culture of learning and excellence.