The award distribution ceremony for the 7th National Science Talent Contest (NSTC) was held at Higher Education Commission (HEC) secretariat on Tuesday.

Dr Javaid R. Laghari, Chairperson HEC presided over the ceremony. The students groomed under the NSTC participate in International Science Olympiads in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

All the four members of Pakistani team won bronze medals in International Biology Olympiad held in Taiwan from July 10-17, 2011. Two students won Bronze Medals and two Honorable Mentions in International Physics Olympiad hosted by Thailand from July 10-18, 2011.

Two of the four Pakistani team won Bronze Medals, while one of them clinched Honorable Mention in International Chemistry Olympiad held in Turkey from July 10-18, 2011. In the International Mathematical Olympiad held from July 16-24, 2011 held in Netherlands one student won Bronze Medal and one Honorable Mention.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Laghari said that the talented youth of this country. “I am happy to see that the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Careers programme, a joint venture of HEC and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, grooms and provides avenues for international competitions for these youngsters. This is an innovative and enterprising activity for encouraging and providing incentive to the youth.”
The Chairperson said that trained and educated human mind is recognized today as the most precious asset of a country since it is able to overcome any short-coming in resources a country may face.

“Pakistan is doubly blessed with an abundance of natural resources as well as bright young minds, however, it is only through education that we will be able to make use of our resources and rapidly progress like developed countries of the world.”

Dr Sohail Naqvi, Executive Director, HEC appreciated the winners of International Science Olympiads, adding that he is seeing future of Pakistan in safe hands. “This ceremony is organized not to recognize the prizes that these students have won but the talent that they have. They have taken the world head on and made their country proud.”
He shared with the audience the achievements of HEC over the last eight to nine years, explaining how different initiatives of the Commission have changed the overall landscape of higher education in Pakistan.

NSTC is an extension of the National Physics Talent Contest (NPTC) that was launched by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in 1995.
The key objective of NPTC was to give recognition at the highest level to talented science students who excel in the national competitions and represent the country in the International Olympiad in Physics.