On behalf of the Afghanistan Astronomical Private Association (KAYHANA), we congratulate Afghanistan for its qualification and participation in the 16th International Olympiad Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA). This was the first time for Afghanistan to even apply for a participation in the IOAA.
It is our pleasure to announce that Afghanistan’s poster contribution won first place in this Olympiad!
Among the posters of 53 countries in the world, the contribution of Afghanistan yielded the most votes from all IOAA participating members, leaders, observers and students.
Unfortunately, the Afghan delegation could not participate in the IOAA exam contest because the necessary visas were not issued by Poland. Only one of the group leaders (Amena Karimyan) was able to represent Afghanistan in person on the Olympiad in Poland.
We are convinced that our group could have been among those who had a realistic chance to compete in the exam contest with the help of our knowledge and creativity. But it seems like there are certain political reservations of the state of Poland against Afghanistan, and despite all the efforts of Farwan, other astronomers, Olympiad judges and many more friends, the visas were not issued in the end.
Getting a medal in the Astronomical Olympiad is not easy and it will not be a one- or two-year task. It is necessary to work continuously for many years with correct and coherent planning and even more motivation than in the past. Following this path, we are confident to reach this goal in the future. However, our group won with what they had available for their first subscription to the IOAA, which is a great honor for the whole nation of Afghanistan in these chaotic times. The 2024 Oylmpiad will be a gateway to high-level science and knowledge for the youth of Afghanistan. And this gateway will be kept open by the Afghanistan Astronomical Private Association (KAYHANA).