indonesia to host 2014 international biology olympiad

The dream is over! Dr Poonpipope Kasemsap, the IBO Chairperson, contacted NZIBO chair Dr Angela Sharples last night. The Indonesian government has stepped in to support the organisers and the 25th IBO will be hosted in Bali in either the 1st or 2nd week of July 2014.

As Angela has said to me, on a positive note it will be wonderful to visit Indonesia. They will organise a wonderful event and the Balinese version of manaakitanga is world reknowned. Poon and the IBO steering committee have been incredibly supportive of NZIBO and despite us letting the organisation down it’s great to know we are still able to compete in future IBOs. This really was a major concern for NZIBO, so we were very relieved to hear this. 

But we do wish the NZ government understood the importance of consistently supporting excellence in Science education, at all levels. At some point, New Zealand – as a competing nation – will be expected to host the Olympiad. Hopefully the support will be there in the future.

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