Damascus, Jan. 20 (SANA) Syrian authorities on Monday honored students who won top awards at the 2026 Syrian Scientific Olympiad, a national competition designed to identify and nurture talent in science and technology.
The ceremony, held at the Damascus Opera House, was organized by the Distinction and Creativity Agency under the patronage of the General Secretariat of the Presidency. Winners will join Syria’s national Olympiad teams in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and informatics.
Gold medals were awarded to students placing first through third in each discipline, silver to those ranked fourth through eighth, and bronze to students finishing ninth through fifteenth. Certificates of appreciation were also presented to other participants, based on evaluations by specialized scientific committees.
Ali Kaddah, assistant secretary-general of the Presidency for Cabinet Affairs, said the achievements reflect Syria’s investment in intellectual capacity and its commitment to building a generation capable of competing regionally and internationally.
Higher Education Minister Marwan al-Halabi said investing in human capital remains the country’s most effective path to recovery, noting that the winners demonstrate Syria’s continued ability to produce outstanding scientific talent despite ongoing challenges.
Shadi al-Azma, head of the Distinction and Creativity Agency, said the event marked a milestone in a broader national effort, adding that students from all Syrian provinces participated on an equal footing for the first time.
The final stage of the Olympiad concluded on Sunday, with 261 students participating nationwide.
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