5 students to represent Bangladesh at global climate olympiad

Five Bangladeshi students have been selected to represent Bangladesh at the International Olympiad on Climate Change and Environmental Issues (IOCE) 2026 in Sirius, Russia, after emerging from a nationwide selection process involving more than 4,000 students.

The team was selected through the Bangladesh Olympiad on Climate Change and Environmental Issues (BOCE) 2026, jointly organised by the Sustainability and Life Sciences Network (SLSN) and Zero Competitions.

The selection process began with a nationwide preliminary round on July 17, followed by regional rounds in Dhaka, Rajshahi and Sylhet, along with an online e-regional round. Around 1,000 students competed at the regional stage, with the top 300 advancing to the national round held on August 21 at Curzon Hall, University of Dhaka.

The national round was attended by representatives from the University of Dhaka and the Russian House in Dhaka. Prof Dr Abdus Salam, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Dhaka, attended as chief guest.

Senior academics from the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences and related departments were also present. Alexandra Khlevnoy, Director of the Russian House in Dhaka, and Md Delwar Hossain, Senior Coordinator of Educational Projects, attended the event. Dr Kazi Matin Uddin Ahmed, Professor of Geology at the University of Dhaka, served as academic adviser.

Following the national round, 40 national winners took part in an intensive preparation camp covering ecology, biodiversity, environmental chemistry, climate science, Earth system science and disaster management.

The final team selection test was held on August 27 at the Russian House in Dhaka. The assessment focused on scientific knowledge, analytical thinking, data interpretation and problem-solving skills.

The five students selected for Team Bangladesh are Abu Mahzoorah Aymaan, Fabiha Nurjina, Ismah Aroush, S M Anfal Habib and Kamrun Nahar Megha.

Taseen Mohammad and Ahnaf Tahmid Uddin will serve as team leaders, while Ferdous Ahmed will participate as observer.

IOCE 2026 will bring together national teams in Sirius, Russia, for theoretical, practical and project-based competitions covering climate science, environmental studies and sustainability.

Organisers said the initiative goes beyond international competition, aiming to strengthen climate literacy, scientific thinking and problem-solving skills among Bangladeshi youth while encouraging the next generation of researchers, innovators and environmental leaders.