The competition of schoolchildren of the world, which took place in an exciting, hard struggle, strong and fair competition, has ended in Baku
The results of the 47th World Chemistry Olympiad, held for the first time in Azerbaijan on July 20-29 with the organization of the Baku branch of Moscow State University, were summed up.
300 young chemists from 75 countries on five continents and more than 250 scientists and chemists, the jury, experts in chemistry, teachers, supervisors and team leaders participated in this international competition of knowledge.
We will note that the Baku branch of Moscow State University, which during the Olympiad opened its doors to about 600 guests, made every effort to hold the global competition at the highest level.
In order to hold the competition in full compliance with the rules, the management of the branch created all the necessary conditions and a scientific base.
During the Olympiad the participants were provided with everything necessary to complete the given tasks, as the chemical laboratories of the branch with the most modern equipment allow for any complex scientific research to be carried out.
In recent years the Baku branch of Moscow State University has paid much attention to experimental and laboratory-based communications.
That is why now the chemical and other laboratories of the branch are functioning at a level equivalent to the level of the leading universities of the world.
The conditions created for students at the Baku branch of Moscow State University did not escape the attention of world-class specialists.
The scientists who gathered in the capital of Azerbaijan from five continents of the planet really liked the modernist-style university campus buildings, modern laboratories and classrooms, which fully met the conditions of security.
On July 28, at the Heydar Aliyev Center, the closing ceremony of the international competition of knowledge was held.
At the beginning of the ceremony a film was shown reflecting the progress of the Olympiad, exams, the hours of fun of the participants.
A report on the conduct of examinations was read out by the Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Olympiad, Professor Fikret Guliyev.
The professor praised the work of the Olympiad.
"It should be noted that the 47th International Chemistry Olympiad held in the Baku branch of Moscow State University and with its participation as the main organizer, as well as with the support of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, State Oil Company and the Heydar Aliyev Center. I am proud to say that the Olympiad was held at a very high level," he said.
Adding that the Scientific Committee met in two cities – the capital Baku and Gabala – Guliyev informed about the essence of the examination tasks.
"With great satisfaction I will note that some of the tasks in the exam were associated with Azerbaijan. Tasks were dedicated to issues important to the environment, ecology and industry of Azerbaijan," he said.
The best Olympiad
The Chairman of the Governing Committee of the Olympiad, professor in chemical and scientific communications of Sogang University of the South Korea Republic, Dakvan Lee, shared his impressions of the ceremony of the Olympiad.
Noting the high organizational activity of the Baku branch of Moscow State University, he expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the Olympiad, and especially the president of the competition, Professor Nargiz Pashayeva.
Dakvan Lee said that the participants of the competition were very happy to get acquainted with Baku, and that this competition will leave a big mark in their lives.
He estimated the event organized in Baku to be the very best Olympiad in which he had participated.
"The 47th International Chemistry Olympiad came to an end. I'm sure you all had a wonderful time in Baku. I can say that the World Olympiad in Baku has been among the best competitions in which I have participated in the past 12 years. I want to congratulate all the medalists – you really have shown great results," Dakvan Lee said.
According to him, the participants of the Olympiad were able to enjoy the beauty of Baku, and saw beautiful Gabala.
"I want to thank the mentors and observers, who prepared and translated tasks, for their work. In particular, I express my gratitude to Professor Nargiz Pashayeva for his priceless work for the success of this complex international event," Dakvan Lee said.
190 medals found their owners
Then the winners of the Olympiad were awarded medals and prizes. The first ten students who had achieved very good results for the medals were awarded with a Certificate of Honor and gifts.
Next, the names of the largest group of medal winners, bronze medal winners, were announced.
Bronze medals were awarded to members of the Organizing Committee of the Olympiad by academician Akif Azizov and vice-president of the International Chemical organization YUPAC, member-correspondent of the Russian Academy of Sciences Professor Natalia Tarasova, co-chairman of ICO, and a professor of the chemical faculty of Moscow State University Alexander Gladilin. Overall, bronze medals were awarded to 92 participants. Among the bronze medal winners are representatives of 51 countries: Argentina, Belarus, Iceland, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Hungary, El Salvador, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Moldova, Sweden, England, Syria, Uruguay, Vietnam (1), Denmark, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Estonia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Slovenia, Uzbekistan (2), Finland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Peru, Switzerland, Austria, Bulgaria (3), Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia (4).
Silver medals were presented by the Azerbaijani Education Minister Mikail Jabbarov, the chairman of the State Commission for Student Admission Maleyka Abbaszadeh and vice president of the National Academy of Sciences, Academician Tofig Nagiyev. 63 people won silver medals at the International Chemistry Olympiad. Among them were representatives of 33 countries: Austria, Denmark, Latvia, Brazil, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Malaysia, Moldova, El Salvador, Estonia, France (1), Argentina, Canada, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Vietnam (2), Belarus, Czech Republic, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, the United States (3) and Ukraine (4).
Finally, the most exciting moment of the ceremony came – the names of students who showed the highest results and won gold medals at the Olympiad were announced.
The award was handed over to them by the rector of the Baku branch of Moscow State University, a member of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, President of the 47th International Chemistry Olympiad, Professor Nargiz Pashayeva, and the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Olympic Games, a professor of chemical and scientific communications of Sogang University of the South Korea Republic, Dakvan Lee.
The contest in Baku presented gold medals to 35 participants from 22 countries. Gold medals were awarded to representatives of China (4 medals), Taiwan (4), South Korea (4), India (2), Japan (2), Russia (2) Romania (2), Singapore, Poland, Kazakhstan, Germany, USA, Lithuania, Thailand, Estonia, Vietnam, Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Iran (1).
Best of the Best
"The Best of the Best" award was given to the student who recieved the highest score by Professor Nargiz Pashayeva, rector of the Baku branch of Moscow State University, who took upon himself the entire load of the organization of the World Chemistry Olympiad in Baku, which for ten days became a home to young chemists.
According to the results, China team member Yifu Ouyang was awarded the titles "Best of the Best" and "Best Theorist." US Representative David I-Hsuan Wang earned the title of "Best Practitioner."
At the closing ceremony, prizes and certificates were also awarded to young chemists with the best results on various categories. Thus, the participants of the Olympiad with the highest scores in two exams were awarded special certificates – "Best Theorist" and "Best Practitioner."
The absolute champion of the Olympiad, Yifu Ouyang (China), with the highest number of points, shared the feelings that overwhelmed him as the best winner:
"This is great! To be honest, I did not expect such a result. In the practical exam I thought that I failed it all and did not expect to get the gold medal. But now I can say with confidence that any exam is not all the exams. Just as half of life is not all of life," the winner said, and after these words the audience gave him a standing ovation.
"The main catalyst of all events is a person’’
Firstly once again I welcome the young, talented and hard-working members of the Olympiad and I want to congratulate them! I say "welcome!" to all who accepted our invitation and those scholars, teachers, observers, diplomats and everyone who came to the final event!
Thus, we conclude an intense, interesting, exciting, full of news and a ever-changing shades of the week. What have we learned this week? We have seen once again that, as stated in the motto of the Olympic Games, life is like a big laboratory. And the most expensive, the most valuable, the most indispensable tool of this laboratory is the human brain! The main catalyst for all of the events is mankind itself!
Like your exams, life itself, so to speak, also consists of two stages – practical and analytical, and life consists of theoretical and practical aspects. But it is important that great theory coincides with great practice, and then they complement each other.
During the exams I watched how hard you worked and how you tried to focus. Your behavior reminds me of the Azerbaijani proverb ‘caution is the decoration of a hero.’ Observing the complex laboratory tasks, I even thought of a new version of this proverb: 'Caution is the decoration of a hero and a chemist'. In life, as well as in the chemical laboratory, along with courage and risk-taking, there is a need to be equally careful and prepared.
Dear friends, I remember, you have talked about the fact that the allocation for the examination of five hours was not enough. But from our experience, the experience as adults should be unquestionable – and this is something that there is never enough time for. As the great Dante said, time is a sacred category. Because that's the time that puts on the scales and gives the correct, accurate assessment. Those who pass the test of time, pass through the main, global, supreme test. We hope that, in the future, time will bring you to success and will always elevate you.
At our first meeting we were told that Azerbaijan, Baku, our university, will become your home for a while. We hope that this has happened, and the walls of the house have not pressured you, and you have not been bored. You have seen our hospitality and kindness.
Do not forget to keep the memory of this ancient and beautiful land of Azerbaijan. Young chemists and their accompanying large delegations from afar have seen the modern aspect of our city.
You can look at the imagine and appearance of ancient Baku, which was no less beautiful, the photos donated to you from the exhibition organized in the foyer.
And when you return home to your loved ones, and you are asked what is the main symbol of Baku, say that the main symbol of Baku is the immortal, beautiful, magical, unique Maiden's Tower. The Maiden's Tower, which captivates and enchants everyone with its romanticism and unusual appearance, is immortalized on your medals, because it is a unique, ancient character.
We, the teachers, are proud of you because you made the right choice, you chose the path of science. I wish that you did not turn from this path, you are never tired, not tired, will hold and follow this noble path to the end, achieve success and achievements and your names will be among the names of the world's great scientists!
In the countries that you represent, of course, there are natural resources: gas, oil, gold, cotton, etc. But where there is no science, these natural resources will never be able to be turned into the national heritage. An economy will be incomplete and a society will not be in the right balance. All this is connected with scientists, science, advanced intelligence and fair hearts. And then you will turn natural resources into national patrimony. I believe in it.
Today, in this hall, we have awarded, welcomed the winners. In addition, there are participants sitting here who have not got a medal. I am addressing to you my gratitude and congratulations. As in chemical science, you have been an integral, essential part of the bulk, without you there would not be these winners. Do not doubt that you have contributed to the victory of the winners
In Azerbaijan there is a funny proverb saying that the landlord is happy when a guest arrives and when he leaves. But when the guest leaves, the joy is not because of his departure. The second reason is that a guest leaves satisfied by the owner of the house. If this is the case, then of course we are very happy and say to you ‘bon voyage.’
I wish that each of you will be nurtured by luck from Azerbaijan! I wish you good health and fortitude!
In conclusion, Nargiz Pashayeva expressed gratitude to the Organizing Committee, the Scientific Committee, scientists, teachers, mentors and guests who came to Azerbaijan, the Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University, to everyone who has contributed to the organization of the Olympiad, and all the young chemists.
Thus, Professor Nargiz Pashayeva announced the closing of the International Chemistry Olympiad held in Baku.
The flag of the Olympiad passed to Pakistan
After the closing ceremony a banquet was organized for the guests in the palace ‘Gulustan'. There the next country which will host the International Chemistry Olympiad was announced. The new chairman of the Steering Committee of the World scientific competition, Magyarfalvi Gabor, announced that the next competition will be held in Pakistan.
The President of the Baku Olympiad, Nargiz Pashayeva, passed the flag of the competition to the chief mentor of Pakistan, Professor Khalid Mohammed Khan.
The schoolchildren, by distinguished their attentive behavior during the whole competition, have not escaped the attention of the Steering Committee. For example, two brave schoolboys – Battauz Fabio from Argentina and Otis Amarachi Anne Hugo from Nigeria – who felt poorly during the exam, but, nevertheless, refused medical care because they did not want to terminate their participation in the competition, were given a playful award in the category ‘Escaped from the doctors.’
They were given certificates by the co-chairs of the Scientific Committee of the International Chemistry Olympiad, Professor Alexander Gladilin and Professor Vadim Eremin, as well as the YUPAC vice president, Natalia Tarasova.
A special award to the youngest participant, 14-year-old member of the team from Nigeria, Oluvatosin Mariam Oloed, was personally awarded by Professor Nargiz Pashayeva.
During the ceremony, full of gifts and surprises, two other students won two tickets to the head office of BASF in Germany.
One of the vouchers intended for the Azerbaijani team went to Sergey Stepin. To determine the winner of the other trip a lottery was organized, and the gold medalist from Turkey, Baturalp Yalcin, won the chance to take a trip to Germany.
Awards were presented to the Director of BASF, Ali Ihsan Gendshem, and rector of the Baku branch of Moscow State University, Nargiz Pashayeva.
Thus, the 47th World Chemistry Olympiad, held in Azerbaijan for the first time, was successfully completed. The Olympiad went down in history as a bright and important event in the scientific and educational life of Azerbaijan. We are confident that this competition will increase the interest of young people in chemistry not only in Azerbaijan but also in all other countries, and will contribute to the education of the future worthy people of science, and, possibly, Nobel laureates in chemistry.
