The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced from their office in Taguig City the historic win of a Filipino student, the first gold medalist for the Philippines, at the 2024 International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) recently held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Mohammad Nur Casib, a student from the Philippine Science High School-Central Mindanao Campus, made history in the 17-year run of the IOAA, outperforming contestants from over 50 countries from August 17 to 27.

News Image #1

(Photo from the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur)

This is Casib's third gold medal in international science competitions. The student hails from Lanao del Sur.

News Image #2

(Photo from Observatorio Nacional)

Casib earned his second gold medal at the International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO), where he scored the highest among all contestants. He was also named the first-ever Nuclear Science Ambassador.

Meanwhile, Sean Ken Galanza and Yanna Lorraine Tenorio, both from the Philippine Science High School Main Campus, also won awards at IOAA. Galanza took home a bronze medal, while Tenorio received an honorable mention.

News Image #3

(Photo from DOST Region 10)

The IOAA is an annual competition for the brightest high school students in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics. Participants undergo tests related to theoretical knowledge, data analysis, and observational skills.