National Science Talent Contest
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
National Science Talent Contest or NSTC is an extension of the National Physics Talent Contest launched by PIEAS in 1995 on the directive of the then President of Pakistan. The program aims to encourage students to pursue careers in science and to prepare them for participation in International Science Olympiads in Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics.
National Physics Talent Contest (NPTC)
National Physics Talent Contest (NPTC) is one of the contests of National Science Talent Contest (NSTC). The top five winners of NPTC represent Pakistan in the International Physics Olympiad.[1]
National Biology Talent Contest (NBTC)
National Biology Talent Contest (NBTC) is one of the contests of National Science Talent Contest (NSTC). The top four winners of NBTC represent Pakistan in the International Biology Olympiad.[2]
National Chemistry Talent Contest (NCTC)
National Chemistry Talent Contest (NCTC) is one of the contests of National Science Talent Contest (NSTC). The top five winners of NCTC represent Pakistan in the International Chemistry Olympiad.[3]
National Mathematics Talent Contest (NMTC)
National Mathematics Talent Contest (NMTC) is one of the contests of National Science Talent Contest (NSTC). The top six winners of NMTC represent Pakistan in International Mathematical Olympiad.[4]
Eligibility and Participation
Eligibility
- Students of 9th, 10th, & 11th (Matric/O-Levels & Intermediate-I/A-Level-I)
- Aggregate marks of 60% or more core subjects i.e. Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics in the last exam
- Age less than 20 years on 30 June of Olympiad year
- Students who are currently studying in Intermediate (Part-II)/ A Levels (Part-II) & university students are NOT eligible to apply.
Selection process
Candidates must pass a national screening test, typically conducted annually, after which selected students are invited to training camps. Approximately 50 students per subject are shortlisted for these camps, from which a final team of 4–6 students is selected to represent Pakistan at international science olympiads.
Registration for the screening test is conducted through the STEM Careers Programme website.[5]
Awards and incentives
Participants representing Pakistan in international science olympiads receive monetary awards and additional benefits.
- Gold medal: 500,000 PKR
- Silver medal: 250,000 PKR
- Bronze medal: 100,000 PKR
- Honorable mention: 50,000 PKR
- International participation: 25,000 PKR
In addition to cash prizes, selected participants may receive academic benefits, including admission opportunities at the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) without an entrance examination.[6]
Home Institutions
There are different educational institutions allotted for each subcategory of the NSTC, where students are trained and tested and further screened for the subsequent phases of the contest:
- NPTC: Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad[1]
- NBTC: National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad[2]
- NCTC: H.E.J Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi[3]
- NMTC: COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Lahore[4]