IChO continues successfully in Baku

By Nigar Orujova

The 47th International Chemistry Olympiad, organized by Baku Branch of Lomonosov Moscow State University, continues in the Azerbaijani capital.

This international competition has gathered 300 young chemists from 5 continents and 75 countries, as well as over 250 professional chemists, experts, professors, supervisors, and team leaders.

To date, one experimental exam on July 23, and the theoretical exam on July 25 were conducted testing the participants’ level of knowledge in the classes and laboratories of Baku Branch of Moscow State University.

Students attempted to solve the tasks in 5 hours. The teams worked on problems that required original and non-standard approaches.

Moreover, the participants were given tours of Baku and the national museums of the capital city.

The participants from around the world who came to Baku to take part in this great science competition enjoyed state-of-the-art facilities of the Baku Branch of Moscow State University, featuring laboratories equipped with the latest technology up to date equipment.

The rules dictate that the theoretical exam is allotted 60 points, while 40 points are given for work in the lab.

The international jury, comprised of two representatives of each participating country, discuss and evaluate the answers of the participants. The results will be announced at the closing ceremony of the Olympiad on July 28.

The teaching staff at the University, under the President of the 47th Chemistry Olympiad and Rector of Baku Branch of Moscow State University Nargiz Pashayeva, are strictly monitoring and supervising this great and important event.

The University has recently strengthened its scientific and educational base, and has been provided with the advanced chemical laboratories possessing the latest equipment. Currently, the chemistry faculty at the university is recognized as one of the leading in the country.

The decision to hold the 47th International Chemistry Olympiad in Azerbaijan was made in 2012 in Washington. Azerbaijan is the second country in the CIS after Russia to host the International Chemistry Olympiad.

Azerbaijan’s team includes Dilgam Ahmadli, a graduate of Istek Lyceum in 2015; Sergey Stepin, a graduate of the Lyceum named after academician Zarifa Aliyeva; Huseyn Babayev, who finished 10th grade at the Istek Lyceum in 2015; and Ruslan Mammadov, who finished 10th grade at the classical grammar school No. 160. The team is led by Mehman Bunyadov, a researcher at the Organic Chemistry Laboratory of Qafqaz University, who won a bronze medal at the 41st International Chemistry Olympiad in 2009 in the UK.

The 47th Chemistry Olympiad is held with support from the Azerbaijani Education Ministry, Ministry of Youth and Sports, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), and the Heydar Aliyev Center.