Türkiye won four medals at its first participation in the International Nuclear Science Olympiad, organized to strengthen global cooperation in nuclear science and technology education among high school students.
The third edition of INSO 2026 was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 2 to 9. A total of 120 contestants from 19 countries, including China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, took part in the event.
Turkish students win four medals
Ayaz Büyükterzi, Mert Karan, Barış Canbolat and Ömer Akhan represented Türkiye at the Olympiad. All four students achieved medal-winning results at the event.
Ayaz Büyükterzi won the gold medal after finishing among the top three in the overall rankings. Mert Karan, Barış Canbolat and Ömer Akhan won bronze medals in their respective disciplines.
Preparation conducted under TENMAK coordination
Türkiye's preparations for INSO 2026 were carried out under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and coordinated by the Türkiye Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Institute (TENMAK).
A two-stage examination was held to select the Olympiad team. Before the examinations, the students attended training sessions prepared by TENMAK experts and academics.
The selected team received in-person theoretical training in Istanbul and practical training in Ankara. The training focused on developing the students' theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in nuclear science.
Bayraktar: It demonstrates our young people's capabilities
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar said the achievement demonstrated young people's capabilities in nuclear science and Türkiye's human resources potential.
Bayraktar said Türkiye had won one gold and three bronze medals at its first participation in the Olympiad, adding that the achievement demonstrated the country's determination to train the scientists of the future.
