A nine-member Bangladesh delegation will participate in the Multinational Youth Geography Olympiad (MY-GEO) 2026 in Sirius, Russia, from 24 to 31 October.

The delegation comprises five students, three team leaders and one team observer, who will join participants from BRICS member states and other countries in the international competition.

The olympiad, designed for students aged 15 to 18, will test their geographical knowledge, analytical thinking and practical problem-solving skills. Its subject areas include physical and human geography, environmental management, climate change, natural resources and sustainable regional development.

Zero Competitions Limited announced the delegation in a notice issued on 10 October. The students qualified through a Team Selection Test held at the Russian House in Dhaka, which assessed their geographical knowledge, analytical reasoning and ability to solve unfamiliar problems.

The selected students are Minhajul Islam Tahmid of Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College, Shahriar Noor of Government Science College, Md Tawsikul Islam of Agrani School and College in Rajshahi, Arifa Atiq Mim of Netrokona Government College, and Tanvir Sadat of Notre Dame College.

The team leaders are Md Ayman Mahmud and Taseen Mohammad of the University of Dhaka, and Ferdous Ahmed of BRAC University. Ahnaf Tahmid Uddin of BRAC University will accompany the delegation as the team observer.

Zero Competitions Limited and the Sustainability and Life Sciences Network (SLSN) are coordinating Bangladesh's participation in cooperation with the Russian House and the University of Dhaka.

Three rounds to test geographical knowledge

MY-GEO 2026 will feature theoretical, multimedia and practical rounds, testing participants' understanding of geography and their ability to apply scientific knowledge.

The theoretical round will cover physical geography, human and economic geography, environmental systems, climate change and regional development. The multimedia round will require participants to interpret maps, satellite imagery, statistical datasets and other geographical materials to identify patterns and draw evidence-based conclusions.

In the practical round, teams will conduct field observations in and around Sirius and along the Black Sea coast. They will collect geographical data, analyse their findings, prepare maps and propose solutions to regional development challenges.

The competition will be conducted in English, with teamwork and collaborative problem-solving playing an important role alongside individual knowledge and analytical skills.

Educational activities beyond competition

The event will take place in the Sirius Federal Territory on Russia's Black Sea coast, near the Caucasus Mountains. The area hosts educational and scientific institutions, including the Sirius Educational Center and Sirius University.

Alongside the competition, participants will have opportunities to attend scientific lectures, educational sessions and workshops on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, environmental conservation and regional development.

The activities will also allow students to exchange knowledge and experiences with international participants, researchers and specialists.

The host organisers will arrange accommodation and meals for participating students and eligible team leaders, while the sending side will bear international travel expenses.

Bangladesh Geography Olympiad to be held annually

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to establish the Bangladesh Geography Olympiad (BGeO) as an annual platform for students interested in geography, geology and related Earth sciences.

The initiative aims to encourage school and college students to explore these subjects and expand opportunities for participation in international geography and Earth science competitions.

Information about future editions, including registration details and announcements, will be shared through the olympiad's official Facebook page and the communication channels of Zero Competitions and SLSN.

Bangladesh's participation in MY-GEO 2026 will give the selected students an opportunity to test their knowledge against international peers and gain practical experience in geographical research, spatial analysis and environmental studies.

The event will also expose them to different approaches to geographical problem-solving while promoting scientific learning and cultural exchange.