(MENAFN) A team of students from Djibouti has won a gold medal at the Open International Biology Olympiad (OIBO), held at the Russian Sirius Educational Center in Sochi. Representing Djibouti, Hassan Mohamed Seid, Maydoub Ilyas Mohamoud, and Mohamed Eleyeh Abdillahi earned their spot after excelling in a national academic competition. All three students are enrolled in a science-focused school in Djibouti.

The Olympiad saw 70 participants from 14 countries, including Russia, Belarus, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines. The Djiboutian team completed three stages of the competition: a written exam, a practical lab assessment, and a group project. Their project, which focused on the native plants of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, earned them a gold medal in the project category.

Seid described their research as a valuable experience, particularly the chance to study unfamiliar plants and explore environmental threats to local biodiversity. The team expressed excitement about their success and hopes to return to Sirius for future competitions.

This victory adds to Djibouti's growing academic achievements, with the country’s students also excelling at events like the African Mathematics Olympiad. The OIBO 2025 took place from May 10 to 17 in the Sirius federal territory and is a platform for students to tackle biological and biotechnological challenges while fostering global collaboration.

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