Iranian Team Triumphs at ICPC 2025, Securing West Asia Championship Title!

Sharif University of Technology has made a remarkable mark on the global stage by achieving the top position among West Asian countries in the prestigious 49th International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) 2025. This significant event took place at ADA University in Baku, Azerbaijan, from August 31 to September 5, attracting 140 teams and over 73,000 students from 103 countries, all vying for programming excellence.

The three-member team from Sharif University, comprised of Ali Safari, Alireza Keshavarz, and Amir-Mohammad Shahrezaei, showcased their exceptional skills by solving nine out of twelve challenging problems. Their impressive performance secured them the 16th position globally, placing them among the top five teams honored at the contest. Notably, they became the first team to solve one of the most complex challenges, Problem A: A-Skew-ed Reasoning, as reported by IRIB.

In this highly competitive arena, the Sharif University team outperformed renowned institutions, including:

• University of Cambridge: Ranked 50
• University of California, Berkeley: Ranked 33
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Ranked 20
• University of Chicago: Ranked 47

Following them, the Chennai Mathematical Institute from India secured the second position in West Asia, managing to solve seven questions and ranking 60th globally.

The International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) is a prestigious global algorithmic programming competition designed for university students. It challenges teams of three to collaboratively solve intricate, real-world problems under strict time constraints, which tests their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving capabilities. The competition not only emphasizes excellence in computer science but also fosters innovation through fierce competition.

Originally initiated in 1970 as a local contest in North America, the ICPC has grown significantly over the years. The first championship round was held in 1977, and it has since transformed into a global, multi-tiered competition. Currently, the ICPC encompasses local and regional contests worldwide, culminating in the annual ICPC World Finals, governed by the ICPC Foundation.

The contest is pivotal in promoting excellence in algorithmic thinking, programming, and team collaboration. It encourages students to tackle real-world problems while under pressure, enhancing partnerships between academia and industry, and spotlighting the emerging generation of computing professionals through global competitions that drive innovation and growth.

Recent Achievements of Iranian Students

In addition to their success at the ICPC, Iranian students have also excelled at the INNOVERSE International Invention & Innovation Expo, securing a total of 13 medals—three gold, four silver, and six bronze. This event, which took place online on August 24, represented a significant platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange among inventors, researchers, and students.

INNOVERSE 2025 featured innovative projects across diverse fields, including:

• Advanced Technologies
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Development
• Environmental Sustainability

A total of 177 teams from 47 countries participated in the competition, showcasing a wide array of ideas and inventions. Notable achievements included:

• Gold Medals:
  • Ilia Majidzadeh Heravi and Parsa Karimi Yazdi for ‘CommuniMateSmartApp: Solutions for Deaf Communication Challenges’
  • Artin Radmatin and team for ‘Evaluation of Magnetic Gear in Process Systems’
  • Niki Abtahi and team for ‘Improving the Design of Pneumatic Muscles’
• Silver Medals:
  • Mehran Rajabi and Alireza Jafarnezhad for ‘EcoNet Bin: AI-IoT Smart Waste Segregation System’
  • Yasin Abbasi and team for ‘Medismart Smart Pharmacy Solution’
  • Parmida Salahmand and Sorena Salahmand for ‘Development of Nano-Composites’
  • Matin Hayati for ‘Automated Analysis of EEG Signals for Seizure Prediction’
• Bronze Medals:
  • Mohammad-Sam Nemati-moein and Mahan Ghadimi for ‘Evaluation of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid on Cancer Cells’
  • Rojina Hoodehshenas and Baran Moradi for ‘Antimicrobial Biodegradable Biofilm Packaging’
  • Sam Rashidi and Radin Abasi for ‘Design of Smart NannyBot’
  • Arshia Chehrezad and Taha Tajik for ‘Hydrogel Containing Captopril’
  • Raman Nafarieh for ‘Novel Herbal Nanogel for Skin Cancer Cells’
  • Moeid Rajabi and Helena Rajabi for ‘Smart Child Safety Solution’

The achievements of the students from Sharif University of Technology and other Iranian institutions not only highlight their exceptional capabilities but also position them as leaders in the global academic and innovation landscape.