INSO Olympians prepared well for INSO

They are the cream of the crop in the field of nuclear science out of all the students in their respective countries. But contenders to the first International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO) went through rigorous preparations, according to coaches.

The coaches are well-aware that questions or problems to be taken in the Olympiad will be on the clincher level, so patience and perseverance in reviewing and practicing was the name of the game.

Prof. N.G.S. Shantha Gamage, team leader of Sri Lanka, admitted that the main challenge was in selecting the team to participate in the Olympiad. “We went through a series of examinations to select the team to represent our country,” he said. “But it was exciting to pick among the students who competed for the team.”

Another coach, Mr. Mohamed Khunji from Bahrain, revealed that they only had five months to prepare. “Since this is the first ever INSO, there are no previous materials that we could use for reference or review,” he said. “It is difficult at first to find materials to prepare the contestants.” But eventually the team was able to gather materials and references that helped them in their preparation.

Preparing the teams is indeed a challenge, the coaches admit, but they are looking into the impact of the INSO to their students.

Dr. Muhammad Hassan Obeid, an observer from Syria, noted that joining Olympiads is “difficult, that’s why all of the participating countries prepared well for this Olympiad.”

There are many gains in joining despite the hard work in preparing the teams, according to the coaches. Aside from being a venue to highlight the bright minds in participating countries, “the INSO is also helpful for the kids and their families because it helps them to know about the benefits of nuclear science and technology,” said Dr. Obeid.

The Olympiad officially started on Aug 1 at the SMX Convention Center in New Clark City, Pampanga. After the Opening Ceremonies, the Scientific Committee, composed of nuclear scientists and experts, and the jury began implementing all the duties lined up on their time table, such as preparations for the exams and organizing exam materials, and reviewing all the guidelines, among others.

The contenders went through theoretical and practical exams in two separate days, August 2 and 4, respectively. The winners will be announced on August 6 during the INSO closing ceremonies at the SMX Convention Center in New Clark City.

Though the contestants come as teams representing their respective countries, they will compete as individuals. Ranking will be according to the number of golds that they win in the two exams.

When asked on his impression on the Philippines during their short stay, Obeid said, “It is a great country. It is impressive that it has more than 7,000 islands and hundreds of languages.”

All of the coaches interviewed have utmost hopes for their respective teams. (INSO Publicity Working Team)