Pakistan

STEM Careers Programme,

Higher Education Commission,

Sector H-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan

stem.edu.pk

National Institute for Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad is the host institute for the National Biology Talent Contest (NBTC). All the training camps are organized at NIBGE, Faisalabad. There are four rounds of selection, the first round is usually held in October/November every year followed by 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds in January, March and June, respectively.

Around 100 students participate in the first camp. Fifty students are selected through screening test (open merit) while the other fifty constitute the position holders of the Educational Boards from all over the country.

The screening test includes multiple choice questions (60-70%) and short questions (30-40%). Screening test is pepared and conducted by STEM Careers Program in all major cities of Pakistan on the same day. For further selection of students, the tests are produced and conducted by the host institute.

The total time which students spend on additional training at the host institute is no more than 5-6 weeks. This include lectures and tests during the first two rounds, only tests during the third round and practical training during the final round.

The host institute harbors the National Library of Biological Sciences where a large collection of books, online material etc. is available to the students for preparing themselves for the IBO. Past IBO papers are also used in addition to the indigenously developed tests.

The students receive following prizes from STEM/HEC:

International Participation: Rs. 20,000; Honorable Mention: Rs. 50,000; Bronze Medal: Rs. 60,000; Silver Medal: Rs. 80,000 and Gold Medal: Rs. 120,000

Students who have passed grades 9th, 10th, O Levels, grade 11 or FSc (Part-I) and A levels (Part-I) with at least 70% marks (or equivalent grades) can participate in this program

Standard Secondary School year (9th and 10th grade) starts in April and ends in February/March while standard Higher Secondary School starts in August and ends in March / April.

The applications for participation in International Biology/Science Olympiads are invited through press media usually in August/September every year. Moreover introductory materials (posters, letters, brochures) and registration forms are sent to schools and colleges all over the country through post.

STEM Careers Program, Higher Education Commission, Islamabad.

Advertisement for Participation in the International Biology Olympiad is made in major National Dailies and STEM Website. Introductory Packages (Poster , Nomination Forms) are sent to Schools & Colleges. Similarly, to promote and update STEM activities, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube are also used in addition to HEC Newsletter and newspapers.