The third International Technology Olympiad will take place in the autumn. The preliminary stage is scheduled to be held online from October 19 to 22, and the final round will be held in person from November 2 to 5 at the Pardis Technology Park in Tehran.
This event is a competition aimed at demonstrating outstanding abilities, gathering the brightest minds from around the world for contests, innovation implementation, and shaping the future through technology. According to a report by Borna news agency, the goal of the event is to assess scientific capabilities, identify talented individuals, develop problem-solving skills, strengthen ties among technologists, and establish industry contacts.
Currently, about 4700 people have registered, including 200 participants from 14 countries. The 2026 Technology Olympic Games serve as a competitive platform for specialists in six key areas: artificial intelligence (AI), programming, cybersecurity, combat robotics, Internet of Things, and drones. Each of these disciplines includes several leagues covering various specialized fields.
Parallel to the Technology Olympic Games, a job fair involving 20 leading technology companies will be organized for the first time. A 'job station' will also be created to facilitate interviews, mentorship, and the presentation of qualified personnel to employers. Furthermore, a hackathon dedicated to solving current industry challenges will take place.
In the second International Technology Olympiad in 2025, over 1100 people from 65 countries participated, including Pakistan, Oman, Vietnam, Tunisia, India, Turkey, Bangladesh, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Indonesia, Netherlands, and Romania, which took place from October 27 to 30.
In the preliminary round of the International Technology Olympiad, more than 12,000 people from Iran and 65 countries participated, indicating a doubling of participants compared to the first International Technology Olympiad held last year. In 2024, the Olympiad saw participation from over 6300 people from Iran and other countries.
On January 20, a national document concerning the development of advanced materials and technology science was presented. This document was approved by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution in the last month of the Iranian year 1403 (March 2024 – March 2025), after which President Masoud Pezeshkian signed and announced it on December 25, 2025, according to IRNA.
This national document serves as a comprehensive roadmap for advancing advanced materials in the country. It aims to improve Iran's position on the global scientific and technological stage and contributes to achieving sustainable development goals. Among the main objectives of the document are raising the country's ranking in science and technology, especially in the field of advanced materials and modern material processing methods, increasing the export of knowledge-based products in the advanced materials sector, improving productivity and reducing the environmental impact of Iranian products, enhancing quality of life and social impact, and completing the value chain with an emphasis on reducing raw material sales.
Ali-Bager Taherinia, an official of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, quoted by IRNA, noted: 'This is the first comprehensive scientific document in the field of advanced materials; it lays the foundation for developing other documents such as quantum technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).'
Emphasizing the growing importance of advanced materials science and technology in economic, medical, food, and other sectors, the official expressed hope that the implementation of the document will benefit the country, as it plays a critical role in the gross domestic product (GDP) and sustainable development. Taherinia added that for the country to gain a significant share in the advanced materials market, proper management is necessary, considering Iran's progress in publishing scientific articles on advanced materials and modern methods of their processing.
The Vice Presidency for Science, Research, and Technology will be responsible for implementing this document, Taherinia continued.
