The International Chemistry Olympiad is an annual event aimed at encouraging excellence in chemistry among high school students from all around the world. Participants compete in a series of theoretical and practical tests that require high skills and deep knowledge in chemistry. The most recent edition of the Olympiad is held this year in Saudi Arabia, where Morocco participated as an observer country without its students, providing the Moroccan delegation with valuable experience and better expertise for future participations. This occasion was an opportunity to exchange and share the Moroccan culture with more than 90 delegations coming from all around the globe.
In an important step towards promoting excellence and raising awareness of the importance of chemistry science among Moroccan students, it was officially announced that Moroccan students will participate in the International Chemistry Olympiad IChO starting next year. This announcement was made by the steering committee of the International Chemistry Olympiad after the presentation of the Moroccan vision of the chemistry olympiad presented by prof. Idir BENAISSA on behalf of the Moroccan delegation at IChO, followed by vote held at midnight local time in Saudi Arabia on July 28, 2024, where international delegations from various countries voted in favor of this decision, reflecting strong international support. According to the official results, 63 countries voted in favor of Morocco’s participation in the Olympiad, while 13 countries opposed it, and two countries abstained from voting. This achievement is considered a culmination of Morocco’s significant efforts in developing its students’ scientific and technical capabilities and promoting excellence.
It is worth noting that Morocco has been organizing the National Chemistry Olympiad for several years, where competitions are held at the national level to select the best students and qualify them for international competitions. This participation in the Olympiad marks Morocco’s first participation in international competitions, representing a significant step toward enhancing Morocco’s position on the international scientific stage. The participating delegation includes Prof. Idir BENAISSA, assistant professor at institute of science, technology and innovation – Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Ben Guerir.
The national teams will work on preparing and training Moroccan students for participation in the International Chemistry Olympiad through intensive training programs that include theoretical lessons, practical applications, as well as organizing workshops and preparatory competitions to qualify students for facing the challenges of the international competitions.
Morocco’s participation comes within the framework of a strategic partnership between Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and the Ministry of National Education, Primary Education, and Sports. This partnership aims to support and promote scientific excellence and innovation among Moroccan students and provide the necessary pedagogical resources and training to achieve the best results in the international competitions. Morocco is now looking forward to preparing a strong and qualified team for the upcoming competitions, expressing hope for achieving outstanding results that will elevate Morocco’s flag and culture in international competitions.
