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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics inaugurated in Mumbai
India is ensuring that technology is the priority for Viksit Bharat, Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, said at the opening ceremony of the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) held on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) in Mumbai. 'The participants should return to their country with new ideas, inspiration, and enriched thought processes,' Prof.. Sood said, referring to the Olympiad as a 'science sport'. Over 300 high school students from 64 countries have participated in the 10-day Olympiad hosted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Astronomy is not only a study of the cosmos, Prof. Sood said in his inaugural speech, it is an ecosystem where extremely sensitive instruments involving computation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and more are used, offering many avenues to pursue in future. This is the second time that India is hosting the IOAA, after the 2016 edition in Bhubaneswar. This year's theme is 'Vasudaiva Kutumbakam', the 'ancient Indian idea of world is family under the one sky'. The future lies in the hands of young minds, solving real time problems, and India believes in international collaboration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a video message to the participants. 'The next scientific breakthrough could be at the hands of these young minds, who knows?' Mr. Modi said, highlighting India's achievements in the field of science. Participants from Classes 10 to 12 are selected after a rigorous process to compete at the international level of the Olympiad. During the 10-day event, students have to appear in several challenging exams. The dignitaries present at the opening ceremony included Ajit Kembhavi, former vice president of the International Astronomical Union. 'There is a possibility that your entire professional journey could be shaped here as you will get inspired to do great things in life,' Mr. Kembhavi said, stressing on inspiration. The IOAA was conceived in 2006 to meet the growing global interest in astronomy among high school students, with the first edition held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2007. According to the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, the IOAA's curriculum is designed to challenge students in theoretical, observational, and data analyses. 'The questions should be fun and challenging. In a way, a best student should have something to think in every question. Secondly, students who are less prepared should get inspired to study better, and thirdly, the questions should make students go back and check why they couldn't answer,' Jayram Chengalur, Director, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research said.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai hosts International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics with 12 countries as first time participants
Mumbai: The city welcomed the world's brightest young stargazers as it hosts the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA). Explaining the aim of the Olympiad, Aniket Sule, president of the IOAA, said it provides a platform for young students from across the globe to share their love for astronomy, make friends, and build lasting networks. (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE) Over 300 high school students from a record 64 countries will take part in the 10-day event, organised by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. The opening ceremony was held on at 4pm Tuesday at the Jio World Convention Centre. This year, 12 countries are joining the competition for the first time, including Algeria, Australia, Bolivia, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Hong Kong, Italy, Laos, Moldova, Palestine, Qatar, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Turkmenistan. Ghana is participating as an observer nation. Four countries are returning after a three-year break. War-affected nations like Ukraine, Iraq, Palestine, and Ghana are also competing, showing that the passion for astronomy can cross borders and overcome challenges. A total of 288 participants — including 57 women, the highest number so far — will compete in theory, data analysis, observational exams, and an innovative team competition. Sky observation sessions will be held at the Nehru Planetarium. Aniket Sule, president of IOAA, said the event's growing reach was encouraging. 'We are able to connect with more and more countries and are seeing increasing participation from every continent,' he said. Russia is not participating this year, while the Belarus team will compete under the IOAA flag. Pakistan, which initially planned to attend, withdrew after the Pahalgam attack, citing security concerns followings discussions with organisers. Explaining the aim of the Olympiad, Sule said it provides a platform for young students from across the globe to share their love for astronomy, make friends, and build lasting networks. Prof. Arnab Bhattacharya, HBCSE Director and Chair of the Local Organising Committee, said this will be the largest IOAA ever. 'It is an opportunity for students to learn, compete, and experience India's hospitality,' he said. Since its launch in 2007 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the IOAA has been hosted by countries in Asia, Europe, and South America, including Brazil, China, Colombia, Greece, Hungary, and Iran. Prof. Anwesh Mazumdar, Chair of the Academic Committee, said the competition's academic side is as exciting as its cultural exchange. 'From solving tough theory problems to observing the skies, the students will face a range of challenges that test both their knowledge and teamwork,' he said.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Science
- Business Standard
India investing billions of dollars in research ecosystem: PM Modi
Addressing the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics in Mumbai via video link, Modi also said that in India, tradition meets innovation Press Trust of India Mumbai India is investing billions of dollars in the research ecosystem, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, adding that the country believes in the power of international collaboration. Addressing the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics in Mumbai via video link, Modi also said that in India, tradition meets innovation. India has one of the world's highest astronomical observatories in Ladakh. At 4500 metres above sea level, it is close enough to shake hands with the stars, Modi said. India believes in the power of international collaboration, the PM said. On India's accomplishments in science, Modi said, We were the first to successfully land near the Moon's south pole. The International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) is an annual competition in astronomy and astrophysics for secondary school students. The 18th IOAA is being held at Mumbai from August 11 to 21. The event is organised by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, a national centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, an autonomous institution under the umbrella of the Department of Atomic Energy, as well as a Deemed University. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Olympiad on astronomy, astrophysics to start from August 12
The 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) will be inaugurated in Mumbai on Tuesday with more than 300 high school students from 64 countries participating. The Olympiad, being hosted by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), will be held at the Jio World Convention Centre. The opening ceremony will be attended by Principal Scientific Advisor to the governemtn Ajay Sood and Ajit Kembhavi, former vice-president of the International Astronomical Union. According to the HBCSE, the 18th IOAA will see record participation of 300 student contestants and about 140 leaders (mentors/teachers), covering every inhabited continent, including several first-time countries. So far, each Olympiad has hosted 40 to 50 teams, comprising 200-plus contestants, along with their leaders and academic mentors. IOAA was conceived in 2006 to meet the growing global interest in astronomy among high school students, with the first IOAA held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2007. 'The IOAA curriculum is designed to challenge students through theoretical, observational, and data analysis challenges,' said HBCSE.
India Today
5 days ago
- Science
- India Today
18th International Astronomy Olympiad to be held in Mumbai from August 11
India will welcome the world's brightest young astronomy enthusiasts this month as Mumbai hosts the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) from August 11 to 21. More than 300 high school students from 64 countries are set to participate in the global competition, organised by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) under the Tata Institute of Fundamental event will formally open on August 12 at the Jio World Convention Centre, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the gathering. Distinguished guests will include Principal Scientific Advisor Ajay Sood and Ajit Kembhavi, former vice-president of the International Astronomical Union. The closing ceremony on August 21 at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre will be attended by ISRO chairperson V Narayanan and Anil Kakodkar, chancellor of the Homi Bhabha National launched in 2007 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the IOAA was created to nurture the growing global interest in astronomy among school students. Over the years, it has travelled across Asia, Europe, and South America, with past editions hosted by Brazil, China, Colombia, Greece, Hungary, and Iran. The competition's format challenges participants with theoretical papers, observational tasks, and data analysis exercises, providing an intense yet inspiring platform for young talent to explore the fast-evolving realms of astronomy and year, students will be housed at The Westin Powai Lake, which will also serve as the venue for all academic events, including theory, data analysis, observational exams, and the team challenge. The arrangement aims to ensure safety and convenience during Mumbai's monsoon season. Leaders and academic mentors will be accommodated at the St. Regis Hotel, Worli, where moderation and jury meetings will also be held, according to the organisers.- Ends
