The International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2024 training camp was inaugurated today at the School of Human and Environmental Science at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) here.
This event is being organised by NEHU in collaboration with the Geological Society of India (GSI), Bengaluru and sponsored by the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Founded as a flagship initiative of the International Geoscience Education Organization (IGEO), the IESO stands as an annual competition designed for secondary school students. It serves to ignite students’ interest and public awareness in Earth Science while enriching Earth Science teaching and learning at the school level. The GSI assumes the pivotal role of selecting the Indian team for the IESO. The theme for IESO 2024 is ‘Big Data for Our Earth’, underscoring the significance of leveraging vast datasets to deepen our understanding of Earth’s systems and phenomena.
The three-week training camp encompasses a comprehensive programme including lectures, discussions, geological fieldwork, data mining and poster presentations. The IESO training camp brought together 26 students selected through Indian National Earth Science Olympiad (INESO 2024) National Entrance Test. The top four students will be declared as winners at the end of the training camp and will subsequently represent their nation at IESO 2024 in Beijing, scheduled for August.
Prof Devesh Walia, Dean of the School of Human and Environmental Science, and Convenor of the IESO 2024 training camp, delivered the welcome address. He extended a warm welcome to all attendees, stressing the vital correlation between theoretical studies and practical applications. Walia encouraged wholehearted participation, highlighting its pivotal role in achieving significant accomplishments. Moreover, he urged students to delve deep into earth sciences, foster international collaboration, and contribute to a global understanding of our planet.
Jagvir Singh, Scientist G, in the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, underscored the imperative for sustainable solutions to geohazards. He emphasised the critical significance of comprehending Earth’s intricate systems, spanning from the biosphere to the ocean depths, and from the North Pole to the South Pole.
The chief guest, Prof Sunil Kumar De, president of the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG) 2022-2026, and a faculty member of the Department of Geography at NEHU, imparted his profound insights into geomorphic processes and their far-reaching implications. He elaborated on the multifaceted dimensions of studying Earth Science, delineating its aesthetic, academic, economic, societal, and environmental values.
NEHU Vice-Chancellor Prof Prabha Shankar Shukla underscored the significance of the IESO and the urgent need to preserve our planet. He called upon students and citizens alike to proactively address environmental challenges.
The Olympiad commenced in October 2007 in South Korea and now spans 50 countries.
