ISLAMABAD: Pakistani students have achieved the country’s biggest success to date in an international science competition, winning two gold medals and one silver at the Asian Science Camp 2025 in Thailand.
The six-day regional event brought together participants from more than 50 countries, with teams presenting innovative projects assessed by international experts, including Nobel Prize-winning scientists.
Pakistan’s eight-member delegation impressed judges and peers alike with creative solutions to global challenges.
Ali Afzal Muhammad from Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, won gold in the Innovation and Technology category for his “Sleep Pod”, a device designed to simulate the effects of a 10-hour sleep cycle in just two hours — a concept hailed for its potential in healthcare and productivity.
A second gold medal went to Malik Shahabuddin Syed of Bolan Medical College in the Sustainability category.
His project proposed three practical measures to protect marine ecosystems, earning praise for both creativity and scientific depth.
Hasher Ishaq of the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) secured silver for designing a conceptual microchip that could be implanted in the human body to trigger an immune response neutralising viruses — an idea noted for its futuristic medical applications.
Ahmed Fasih from Shalamar Medical College, Lahore, received an honorary mention in the Innovation and Technology category.
The delegation was selected through a nationwide competition involving written tests and interviews, and was led by senior Pakistan Science Foundation officer Rehana Batool. The Foundation facilitated Pakistan’s participation in the event.
The competition involved several rounds, beginning with 50 international projects, narrowed to a top 10 before gold and silver awards were announced.
Participants also attended workshops, networking sessions, and lectures by world-renowned scientists and Nobel laureates.
Held annually, the Asian Science Camp aims to promote science education, innovation, and cross-border collaboration among young scientists across the continent.
