Bangladesh has marked a notable achievement through its first-ever participation in the Open International Biology Olympiad (OIBO) 2026. The prestigious international competition took place from 15 May to 22 May in the Sirius Federal Territory, Russia, and brought together more than a hundred participants from over 20 countries.

Representing Bangladesh were Taseen Mohammad of BIAM Model School and College and Rupkotha Roy of Government Harganga College. The delegation was led by Afia Nowshen, Lecturer at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB). The participation and preparation process was coordinated by the Sustainability and Life Sciences Network (SLSN), with sponsorship support provided by Southeast Bank PLC.

The Olympiad featured three major segments: theoretical examinations, practical examinations, and a project round. Based on his performance in the theoretical and practical sections of biology, Taseen Mohammad secured an individual Bronze Medal.

Team Bangladesh also received the “Project Winner” recognition for the project round titled “Practical Methods of Modern Botany.” The recognition was jointly achieved by Taseen Mohammad and Rupkotha Roy. Their project incorporated modern botanical research methods, field observations, ecological data collection, DNA-related analysis, and morphological studies.

Although Bangladesh participated with a smaller team compared to many other countries, the participants successfully completed a broad range of research-oriented tasks and demonstrated strong scientific and analytical capabilities on the international stage. Their work included plant identification, sample collection, laboratory analysis, scientific interpretation, and coordinated project execution under significant time constraints.

The achievement is being regarded as an important inspiration for aspiring science students and young researchers across Bangladesh. The team’s participation and recognition reflect the growing potential of Bangladeshi students in international research and science-based competitions, while also creating new opportunities for future engagement in global scientific initiatives.