Young Scholars Club Elevates Iran’s Scientific Diplomacy and Global Leadership
The Young Scholars Club, established in the Iranian year 1366 (1987-1988), plays a pivotal role in promoting basic sciences across Iran. This esteemed organization is responsible for hosting scientific Olympiads and preparing students for international competitions in various fields, including mathematics, physics, literature, biology, computer science, chemistry, astronomy, and astrophysics.
In an exclusive interview with the Tehran Times, Reza Hosseini, the head of the Young Scholars Club, shared insights on the club’s achievements in recent years. He emphasized that the young and talented students of Iran are a source of national pride. “The Young Scholars Club has successfully realized the goals of scientific diplomacy and national superiority,” he stated.
Here are some highlights from the interview:
- International Olympiads Rankings: Iran is among the top ten countries in international Olympiads. Notably, at the International Astrology and Astrophysics Olympiad, Iran secured first place with five gold medals for the second consecutive year, marking a remarkable achievement.
- International Biology Olympiad: Iran ranked third in this competitive event.
- International Economics Olympiad: The country achieved its best-ever ranking, securing the 18th position out of 54 countries—an impressive improvement from five years ago when Iran ranked second to last.
- Artificial Intelligence Olympiad: Iran finished eighth, while in the International Mathematics Olympiad, the country improved to 12th place, seven positions higher than the previous year.
- Chemistry and Physics Olympiads: Iranian students earned four silver medals in chemistry and five silver medals in physics.
Hosseini expressed pride in the capabilities of Iranian youth, stating, “Our talented young individuals have the ability to organize international events, showcasing participation from 73 countries under the Islamic Republic of Iran’s banner.” He elaborated that Iranian scientific Olympiad elites are actively engaged in educating young adults across nearly 20 countries globally.
The educational outreach occurs both in person and online. For instance, one student was invited to Saudi Arabia to train their national team, while other training sessions are conducted virtually. “This is a significant honor for us, and we have transitioned from a passive to an active and effective role on the world stage,” Hosseini remarked.
Moreover, he highlighted a noteworthy incident where Iranian youth successfully excluded the Zionist regime from participating in an Olympiad they organized. “This is a testament to the potential of our talented youth, who, when encouraged, can achieve remarkable things,” he stated.
This year, Iranian students also organized the Iranian Geometry Olympiad, which attracted 10,000 participants and was held simultaneously across 52 countries and more than 200 cities worldwide. “We are in a scientific diplomacy environment that significantly impacts many countries,” Hosseini noted, expressing pride that Iran ranks among the top ten nations globally in this field.
Hosseini further emphasized the importance of support and favorable conditions to advance the country’s standing in various industries. “We aspire for our universities to be among the top ten in the world,” he said, reflecting on the successful hosting of numerous international Olympiads over the years.
Iran has been the host for significant events, including:
- International Physics Olympiad in 2022.
- Computer and Biology Olympiads in 2017 and 2018.
- Astrology and Astrophysics Olympiads in 2009.
- International Physics Olympiad in 2007.
Organizing these events has proven challenging but immensely valuable in reshaping the global perception of Iran. “Hosting international Olympiads helps change the false narratives propagated by Western media,” Hosseini remarked. He noted that while some countries attempted to discredit Iran’s capability to host such events, the scientific committee engaged in diplomatic efforts that successfully led to the hosting of the 2024 International Physics Olympiad, with 46 participating countries.
The event was held in Isfahan, showcasing Iran’s rich historical, cultural, and civilizational heritage. “We aimed to demonstrate that Iran is a great nation with a long history and a defender of peace,” he said.
Aside from securing a prominent position in international Olympiads, the Young Scholars Club aspires to become a global center for education and training, aiming to influence educational policies worldwide. “Our achievements in international Olympiads reflect our potential to be impactful on a global scale,” Hosseini added.
With no other regional country approaching Iran’s level of success, Hosseini believes the nation must take a more significant role in training talented youth. “The recent Combinatorics Olympiad, designed by Iranian elites and attracting 73 participating countries, is a prime example of our capabilities,” he concluded.
