An awarding and closing ceremony for the winners of the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics was held at the Kutaisi Opera and Ballet Theater. The event revealed the young people who won gold, silver and bronze. The holders of honorary diplomas and winners in various nominations were also named.
Gold medal winners were from Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Korea, Romania, Singapore, and the United States.
A special prize in theoretical astrophysics from Kutaisi International University was awarded to Canada’s Yehun Hu and a special prize in observational astronomy from the National Astrophysical Observatory of Georgia went to India.
The Georgian team successfully completed the Olympiad. Two Georgian participants won bronze medals and two were awarded honorary diplomas. .
“We are very pleased that the Georgian national team achieved particular success at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics. Four of the five team members received a special award. This is the first time the Olympiad has been hosted by Georgia. We hope that such events will help young people in their professional development,” – noted Alexandre Tevzadze, the Rector of Kutaisi International University.
“The results of all activities of the Olympiad were summed up. The participants, who took prizes, were awarded. It should be noted that the organization of the event by Georgia was highly appreciated by the International Society of Astronomy and Astrophysics,” said Giorgi Khomeriki, a member of the Olympiad organizing committee.
The International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics was hosted by Kutaisi International University. 250 young people from 46 countries took part in it. Invested graduate students worked for a week on tasks of varying difficulty.
The main goal of the IOAA is to promote the growing interest in Astronomy and related STEM subjects, especially through the general education of young people, and enhancing the development of international contacts among different countries in promoting Astronomy and Astrophysics in schools.
The organizers of the Olympiad are the Kutaisi International University, the Evgeni Kharadze National Astrophysical Observatory of Georgia, the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, the Municipality of Kutaisi and the Imereti State Representative Administration.
