Nearly 3,000 students from the Rajshahi Division participated in the fourth edition of the ‘Precise Energy’ Olympiad, an annual science competition dedicated to inspiring young minds to explore the world of nuclear power engineering and advanced technologies.
The Olympiad, held from October 15 to 26, 2025, was organized by Atomstroyexport, the Engineering Division of Rosatom, with the support of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) and National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Russia). This year’s event also marked the 80th anniversary of Russia’s nuclear industry.
The competition, designed for school and university students from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) region—drew participants from 47 educational institutions across Pabna, Kushtia, Natore, and Rajshahi districts. Interest in the Olympiad continues to rise each year: in 2023, approximately 1,200 students took part, compared to nearly 3,000 this year.
The Olympiad featured two levels of competition: Junior (school students) and Senior (college and university students). Participants tested their knowledge in physics, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering (team-based challenges). More than 600 students advanced to the final round, where they showcased their scientific and problem-solving abilities.
Winners of the 2025 Olympiad
Junior Level:
Sayed Masrur Swachcho, Sara Jhaudia High School, Ishwardi
Senior Level:
Shakil Ahmed, Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST)- Chemistry
Shama Jannat, Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST)- Physics
Md. Akherujjaman Jim, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET)- in Mathematics.
Engineering Team Competition:
Team “Rabian”, University of Rajshahi
An award ceremony was held at a community center in Ishwardi, attended by participants, teachers, and representatives from BAEC, MEPhI, Atomstroyexport, and other partner organizations.
Speaking at the ceremony, Engr. Md. Ashraful Islam, Director of the Rooppur NPP construction site, congratulated the winners and expressed gratitude to the organizers for their efforts in nurturing scientific talent in Bangladesh.
“We are proud to see so many young people showing interest in science and technology. Some of these bright minds may one day contribute to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project,” he said.
Nina Dementsova, Head of the Communications Division at Atomstroyexport, highlighted the growing enthusiasm among Bangladeshi students:
“It is inspiring to see how the ‘Precise Energy’ Olympiad continues to expand each year, attracting more talented young people. This initiative reflects the deepening cooperation between Russia and Bangladesh in education and science. We hope today’s participants will be tomorrow’s ambassadors of the peaceful atom.”
Alexander Nakhabov, Deputy Head of the Department of Nuclear Physics and Technology at MEPhI’s Obninsk Institute, noted the steady progress among Bangladeshi students:
“Since the inception of this Olympiad in Bangladesh, we’ve observed a remarkable improvement in students’ knowledge and motivation. Their growing enthusiasm for science is a very encouraging sign.”
The 2025 edition of the Olympiad coincides with the 80th anniversary of Russia’s nuclear industry. Established on August 20, 1945, the Russian atomic program quickly achieved major milestones—developing the nation’s first atomic bomb (1949), launching the world’s first nuclear power plant in Obninsk (1954), and introducing the first nuclear-powered icebreaker “Lenin” (1959), marking the beginning of the peaceful use of nuclear energy worldwide.