GUWAHATI: In a bid to cultivate scientific curiosity and mathematical proficiency among students in Assam, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, in collaboration with Samagra Shiksha Assam, organised a mega Science and Maths Olympiad in Guwahati.
Over 1.14 lakh students from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) from 3,828 schools across the state participated in this mega event at the institute’s premises.
The Olympiad, held in two phases, saw Chandan Kaushik Saikia from Namdeuri HS, Jorhat, Jnanarun Hazarika from Dhalasatra HS, Jorhat, and Arjun Karki from Hawaipur HS, West Karbianglong, win the first, second and third place, respectively.
The Olympiad, which began with an OMR-based physical pen-paper test for secondary school students on March 18, at the final event held on March 30, saw over 62 finalists from classes 9th and 10th competing for the coveted title.
Speaking about the event, Prof Parameswar K Iyer, Dean PRBR, IIT Guwahati, highlighted the institute’s commitment to enhancing STEM activities in Assam.
He said, “IIT Guwahati has been working closely with the education department of Assam to promote STEM activities through lively events such as Olympiads.”
Congratulating the winners, Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Officiating Director, IIT Guwahati, expressed the institute’s commitment to enhancing the quality of STEM education in Assam vis-à-vis the Northeast.
“IIT Guwahati will do everything in its capacity to enhance the quality of STEM education in Assam and the northeast. We plan to promote activities related to STEM education by engaging with all stake holders of the education sector,” he said.
The objective of the Olympiad was to raise awareness about the significance of STEM education, and foster innovation and critical thinking skills among students, a statement from the institute said.
Through initiatives such as this, T Guwahati and Samagra Shiksha Assam aim to provide students with a platform to showcase their creativity and ingenuity in the field from across the state.
