Pakistan celebrated a historic achievement at the 2025 International Science Olympiads by winning its first gold medal and a bronze medal. Abdul Raffay Paracha earned the gold medal at the 35th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) held in the Philippines, while Daniyal Shahzad Hamid secured a bronze medal at the 55th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) in France.
Abdul Raffay Paracha from Siddique Public School won Pakistan’s first gold medal at the IBO in the Philippines (July 20-27, 2025). Daniyal Shahzad Hamid from The Science School, Rawat, secured a bronze medal at the IPhO in France (July 17-25). Additional honors included:
- Ayyan Aslam (Government College University, Lahore): IBO Honourable Mention.
- Eiman Fatima (Fazaia Inter College, Rawalpindi): IPhO Thales Solidarity Award (€5,000 grant, one-year mentorship).
- Muhammad Bilal (Sundar STEM School, Lahore): IPhO Honourable Mention.
Pakistan has secured its first-ever Gold Medal in the prestigious International Science Olympiad, marking a historic achievement for the country.
Mr. Abdul Raffay Paracha of Siddique Public School won the Gold Medal for Pakistan at the 35th International Biology Olympiad (IBO)… pic.twitter.com/v1gNupHnCI
— APP (@appcsocialmedia) July 26, 2025The STEM Careers Programme, a joint initiative by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), sponsored the teams. Dr. Asma Imran and Dr. Asma Rehman from NIBGE mentored the IBO team. PIEAS’s National Science Talent Contest (NSTC), started in 1995, trained over 4,500 students through 240+ camps, enabling 380 to compete globally, winning 140 medals since 2001.
HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed stated: “These achievements showcase Pakistan’s rising scientific talent.” Social media on X buzzed, with posts like: “Pakistan’s youth shining globally!” The success highlights investments in STEM education, aligning with initiatives such as the launch of the AAAI Pakistan Chapter.
Olympiad Achievements
| Event | Student | Award | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBO | Abdul Raffay Paracha | Gold | Siddique Public School |
| IPhO | Daniyal Shahzad Hamid | Bronze | The Science School, Rawat |
| IBO | Ayyan Aslam | Honourable Mention | GCU, Lahore |
| IPhO | Eiman Fatima | Thales Solidarity Award | Fazaia Inter College |
Data sources: HEC, PIEAS.
The medals enhance Pakistan’s global academic standing, inspiring increased investment in STEM. With 60% of Pakistan’s youth engaged in education, per UNESCO, these wins signal a bright future for innovation. Pakistan’s first IBO gold and IPhO bronze mark a turning point. The STEM Careers Programme’s success paves the way for more global achievements.
