DR. RAFIQUL ISLAM

There is no denying the fact that Chemistry, Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering play the most vital role in the socio-economic development of any country. Petroleum processing and polymer chemistry is recognized as an enabling technology, without which, much of modern life would cease to function.

Chemists, Applied Chemists and Chemical Engineers’ dedicated efforts to split the atom and isolate Isotopes was used by Dupont’s Hanford Chemical Plant to bring an end to World War II with the production of the atomic bomb remains in history as an endeavoring effort of mankind. Today these technologies have found uses in more peaceful applications. These isotopes are now used in medical sciences to monitor bodily functions; quickly identifying clogged arteries and veins. Use of antibiotics is saving the lives of millions of people which is the outcome of the restless efforts of Chemists, Applied Chemists & Chemical engineers. These scientists developed technologies for separating the valuable components of air after it is being cooled to about minus 160 deg C. Nitrogen can be used to freeze food, produce semiconductors, in industry, in the laboratory,in many other applications, while oxygen is used to support the lives of patients in hospitals, in steel industry, weld metals together etc.

Prior to World War I, Germany had reigned supreme in organic chemistry and chemical technology and it was said that America lagged fifty years behind the Germans in organic chemical processing technology. Even America's chemistry and chemical engineering professors had been primarily trained in German Universities, and a working knowledge of the German language was essential for them to keep up with the latest chemical advances. In 1917, after loosing several ships and many lives, the United States declared war on Germany and her Allies.

The importance of rubber in warfare had been demonstrated by the Germans in World War I. The Germans had been cut off from their foreign rubber supply by the British blockade. Without rubber their trucks ran out of tires while their troops had to go without walking boots. Similarly, in the opening days of World War II, Japan rapidly captured rubber producing lands in the far east, depriving America of 90% of its natural rubber sources.

America found itself in the same undesirable position that had confronted Germany forty years before. However, with the help of their new educational policy to emphasis on the underlying principles of chemistry, chemical engineering and technology they were ultimately successful in producing synthetic rubber. With the development of Catalytic Reforming process in 1940 by the Standard Oil Company it was possible to produce high octane fuel from lower grades of petroleum. Because of higher performance given by this better fuel, Allied planes could successfully compete against German & Japanese fighters and ultimately helped to bring victory in the World War II. One of the first actions of the U.S. Government during the world war was to assure that chemists and chemical engineers did not die in the trenches as had happened to many European nations.

They were enlisted to create the materials necessary to wage war. This special attention and policy adopted by the American Government right from that time has brought America to this position today. Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or Chemical Engineering is about making a better world, applying chemical and biological principles to benefit humanity, protect the environment, and build the future. The government policy needs to have given special emphasis on the education of these subjects. But we have not seen such attempts here till today.

The disciplines where the top most students of the country study have been hardly paid any special attention, which needs at this time very badly as the importance of these disciplines have been well established internationally long time ago. If one goes through the practical questions of the international chemistry Olympiad, it would give us a clear picture at what level we could give laboratory facilities to our students of 11th and 12th classes. Even in many universities we are unable to provide such standard of facilities.  In the era of globalization we have to think seriously on this matter. There can be no other better policy of the Government but to strengthening our educational base and immediately double the budget on education and research.

The First International Chemistry Olympiad was held in 1968. After forty years we could even think of organizing a Chemistry Olympiad in the national scale. So here we are. It is definitely not that easy to organize such an event when you have no encouragement from the Government. Some teachers from Chemistry, Applied Chemistry & Chemical Technology departments of Dhaka University, Chemistry department of Jahangirnagar University, Chemistry department of BUET, from some colleges of the National University under the umbrella of Bangladesh Chemical Society worked days and nights, even on holidays and even spending money from their own pockets to make this event successful. The objective of organizing such an event was to encourage the young students to study Chemistry, Chemical Technology and Chemical Sciences. To take this nation a step ahead in science and technology.

This competition in future would play a great role amongst our talented students to participate in the International Chemistry Olympiad and hopefully it will bring immense glory to our nation. This has been a milestone but unfortunately such a great event was almost unnoticed by the public as well as by the policy makers of the country. Excepting to some extent in some important national dailies like the Daily Star, Prothom Alo, Amar Desh, the Jugantor, the Independent it hardly got broad coverage. There was no TV coverage which could have made students and their parents more enthusiastic. It is really unfortunate for our nation that such events are not in the priority of the media, nor in the priority of the policy makers or businessmen, who should have come forward to support. I believe there can be no better patriotic thinking than to supporting such items. Bangladesh Academy of Sciences has been a source of inspiration for this event. Prothom Alo and the Dutch-Bangla bank have already shown the path and have been doing a tremendous job in sponsoring the Mathematics Olympiad of our country. This has to be highly praised by the nation. What a wonderful thinking! So many dedicated teachers nationwide are involved in it. They are giving away so much of their valuable time in it without any material gain. This is simply patriotism.

Analysis of results of the International Chemistry Olympiads though give a picture of  China and Russia dominating, nevertheless smaller countries have shown that it is possible to do well with good preparation, as was shown by Singapore taking first place in Melbourne and also Olympiad team from Iran is doing constantly outstanding results and also South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan. India is also doing well now.All their Governments have given a high priority and especial attention to the participants of this highly prestigious event which earn Gold and Prestige for their country. The American Chemical Society sponsors the American team annually since the United States joined the Olympiad. Principal funding is through the Society’s Othmer Olympiad Endowment, with additional support from dozens of renowned companies and institutions. Bayer is sponsoring New Zealand team and they have done good in the International Chemistry Olympiad in South Korea at the 38th International Chemistry Olympiad in 2006

As discussed Bangladesh Chemistry Olympiad was held for the first time on 18 January, Friday in Curzon Hall of Dhaka University. About 400 students from more than 50 Colleges and English medium institutions took part in this event. The answer scripts were checked immediately after the examination and the results were announced on the same day. First ten winners were awarded with prizes and all participants were given Certificates. First three Winners were awarded with Crests. Professor Dr. M. Muhibur Rahman of the Chemistry Department of Dhaka University, President of Bangladesh Chemical Society was the Convener of this Olympiad Committee.

Prof. Kazi Ali Azam from Jahangirnagar University was the Convener of the Examination Committee of this Olympiad. Distinguished Professors from Chemistry dept., Applied Chemistry & Chemical Technology dept. Dhaka University; Chemistry dept. of Jahangirnagar University, Chemistry dept from BUET; Teachers from different renowned Colleges along with some volunteer students smoothly conducted this Olympiad.  President of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences Professor Dr. M. Shamsher Ali handed over the Prizes and Certificates among the Winners and the Participants. He highly appreciated Bangladesh Chemical Society for taking initiative for organizing such an event for the first time in Bangladesh and expressed his hope that it should continue. He also emphasized on science education and urged for granting more budget in this sector to compete in this challenging world.

Let us talk about the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO). The IChO tests students’ ability to solve challenging chemical problems by designing and conducting their own experiments. The Olympiads also encourage cooperation, understanding and friendship among students from different countries.

Many of the Nobel Laureates participated in the International Scientific Olympiads. The style and quantity of the problems have changed over time. The tasks of the first chemistry Olympiad fitted on two pages, whereas the range of the theoretical examination in Melbourne needed 18 pages and also that in Moscow in 2007 there was a huge amount of task. Much importance is attached to creativity and chemical understanding. The practical examination reflects the great importance of experiments for chemical science. The theoretical problems on the exams usually involve an array of subjects: physical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry and biochemistry. Because the range of subjects is so large, the organizing country publishes a set of preparatory problems—both practical and theoretical—on its Web site the previous January. These problems cover all subjects that will be part of the exams. The practical exam usually has a synthesis, a quantitative and qualitative analysis, and a kinetic experiment. They are given some theoretical questions concerning the experiments, but these are primarily calculations and questions about the interpretation of data. The maximum score of the students in Kiel, Germany was 96 points, which is extraordinary.

Each year, participating countries send four of their brightest chemistry students to compete a test. There are two delegation leaders also known as mentors from each participating countries. The maximum age of the competitors is 20-years-old (on the 1 July that year). The actual competition is divided into two parts: a theoretical and an experimental examination. Each part lasts five hours. Altogether 100 points are assigned; 60 points in the theoretical section and 40 points in the experimental section. A scientific jury from the host country suggests the tasks. The international jury, which consists of 2 mentors from each of the participating countries, discusses and approves the competition tasks and translates it into the respective language of their country. Awards for the IChO are given to individual participants rather than to a team. There are four classes of awards: Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honorable Mention.

The students who score in the top 10% receive a gold medal, the next 20% receive a silver medal, while the next 30% receive a bronze medal. So, 60% of the participants receive a medal. As the number of participants grows, the budget for organizing each event is rising too. At the moment, it is around USD 1.5 million. A programme of visits and social events is also organised by the host country for the participants and the delegates. The exam committees are usually comprised of professors from different specialties and different universities, which means there is a great deal of creative power behind the problems the students encounter. Usually, the exam problems are related in some way to the host country. The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) originated in 1968 with participants from Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Hungary. Other Eastern European nations soon joined the program.

Western European nations entered in 1974. The United States sent its first team in 1984 and hosted the event in 1992. In the first international chemistry Olympiad in Prague in 1968, each of the three participating countries sent a team of six pupils, and four theoretical tasks were to be solved. The first three winners were given prizes. The first one gained 61 points. The 2nd International Chemistry Olympiad was held in 1969 in Poland. Four teams of five pupils each participated in the competition. New country was Bulgaria. The German Democratic Republic and Soviet Union sent observers. There were three winners with the same score: (49 points). Since 1977, the Olympiad has been promoted and funded by UNESCO. The first Olympiad in a non-socialist country took place in1980 in Austria. The 30th IChO was held in 1998 in Australia. There were 47 teams with 184 participants. Observers from Azerbaijan, India, Uruguay were present. Singapore team got the First place.

The 31st IChO was held in 1999 in Bangkok, Thailand. There were 52 teams, 196 participants. New countries in the competition were Brazil, India, and Kazakhstan. This year it will be in Hungary, in 2009 in the UK.

Let us discuss the status of these Olympiads in some  participating countries. In India there is a National Chemistry Olympiad called The Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (INChO), the theory examination of which is held in January-February of every year. It is conducted by the Indian Association of Chemistry Teachers. The examination is intended for students of 12th standard, though 11th standard students are also allowed to give the examination. Students first need to qualify the National Standard Examination in Chemistry (NSEC) held in November of the preceding year. In previous years more than 30,000 students sat for the NSEC. From there only the top 1% are selected for the INChO. The theory part of the examination is held in the last week of January. The top 55 or so students are then called for a Practical Examination, and the top 30 among all students are selected for the International Chemistry Olympiad Training Camp. Most of the students qualifying the INChO are those completing their twelfth standard. The Chemistry Olympiad team from India participated for the first time in 1999 in the International Chemistry Olympiad at Bangkok, Thailand and won 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.

The 33rd International Chemistry Olympiad was held in Bombay, India in 2001.where 53 countries participated. There the team from Russia stood first while the Islamic Republic of Iran ranked second bagging two gold and two silver medals. The Chinese team was also second along with Iran at the competition. Teams from South  Korea and the U.S. ranked third.  
The 35th International Chemistry Olympiad was held in Athens, Greece in 2003. A Belarus( White Russia) student beat all competitors in the theory section of the contest, and a Venezuelan student earned the highest score for the practical section.
The Iranian students have once again showed their talents by placing themselves among the top winners, next after China, in this competition. The Chinese team was the only one to earn four gold medals. Iran and Thailand each won three gold medals and a silver, and India and South Korea each earned two gold medals and two silvers. The U.S. team won three bronze medals and one silver and ranked 6th.

The Singapore Chemistry Olympiad (SChO) is jointly organised by the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC), Chemistry Department of National University of Singapore and the Ministry of Education. The Singapore National Olympiad Council promotes and oversees activities related to the Singapore National Olympiads and International Olympiads. Singapore first participated in the IChO in 1988. Every year, the team to the IChO is selected through two rounds of tests. At the first round, about 150 students  participate in the SChO. Based on their performances, about 25 students are selected for the rigorous training for each Olympiad. The group is well trained. The training programme comprises lectures, problem solving tutorials, practical lessons and tests. These training sessions are usually held during school holidays and vacations. The final 4 students are selected based on merits – performance in the tests and undergo 2 weeks of intensive training inclusive of 1 week of residential training in National University of Singapore during the June vacations. From 1988 to 2007, Singapore has sent 74 students to the International Chemistry Olympiad and have won a total of 71 medals of which 12 Gold, 27 Silver and 32 Bronze.
The 37th International Chemistry Olympiad took place in Taipei in 2005. South Korea received top honors with each of its four participants earning a gold medal. Vietnam snagged second place with three gold medals and one silver, while Iran, Russia, and host team Taiwan placed third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, with two gold and two silver medals. Alexey Zeifman of Russia once again earned the top individual score.

We hope the days are not very far when participants from Bangladesh will bring immense prestige to our nation through participation in these scientific Olympiads. I want to conclude this writing by quoting the saying of the Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Professor Dr. Sir Roald Hoffmann in the last International Chemistry Olympiad: “ Alchemy captured the imagination of ordinary people and intellectuals in its time. Modern chemistry has a problem -- we are incredibly good at transformation, but people don't feel our magic. Relax, show people that chemistry gives you pleasure.” and also quote from the speech of Andrey Fursenko, Minister of Education and Science of Russian Federation in the last International Chemistry Olympiad: “All our life is anyway connected with chemistry. Chemical industry is one of the leading branches of many national economics, and chemists make an essential contribution to national scientific and technical potential. Chemistry also plays an exclusive role in maintaining vital needs of society. I am confident that thanks to the International Chemistry Olympiad young scientists will discover many new applications of chemistry.

Talented youth is the "gold reserve" of any nation. And the goal of teachers, parents, state organizations is to support talented children and develop their creativity. Every child is talented in his own way, and it is very important to help him in revealing his abilities in proper time, to make him believe in himself. International Science Olympiads contribute a lot to solving these problems. “

Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Professor and Ex-Chairman, Dept. of Applied Chemistry & Chemical Technology, Dhaka University, Member of the First Bangladesh Chemistry Olympiad Committee.