Tajik students win 60 medals at global Olympiad in Malaysia

Participants from Tajikistan earn gold, silver, and bronze in global math and logic contest held in Kuala Lumpur

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan — A group of Tajik schoolchildren has returned home with 60 medals after competing in the BRAINIACS International Olympiad, held from April 24 to 30 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

According to the Ministry of Education and Science, 117 students from secondary schools across Tajikistan participated in the global competition, which tests skills in mathematics, logic, and critical thinking. 

The delegation earned 12 gold, 12 silver, and 36 bronze medals.

A welcome ceremony was held at Dushanbe International Airport on May 1, where teachers, parents, and officials from the education ministry greeted the returning students. 

The event marked a rare public celebration of academic achievement in the country.

Organized by an international educational platform, the BRAINIACS Olympiad is one of the largest intellectual competitions for school-aged students worldwide. 

This year’s edition brought together participants from numerous countries, reflecting growing interest in STEM fields among younger generations.

The Tajik delegation included both primary and secondary students, a fact officials say highlights the country’s efforts to expand academic excellence beyond major urban centers. 

While Tajikistan continues to face structural challenges in its education sector, the students’ strong performance has been seen as a positive sign of the system’s broader potential.

The medals won in Malaysia offer more than national pride — they also serve as a reminder of the growing role that global academic exchanges play in shaping future talent in Central Asia.