WANA (Oct 27) – As technological transformations accelerate worldwide, Iran is stepping up efforts to position itself in the global innovation landscape by hosting the second edition of the Iran Technology Olympiad. The event, opening today with over 11,000 participants from 65 countries, brings together young innovators, startups, and research institutions to compete and collaborate in fields including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and programming.

 

Technology as a Measure of National Power

With technology now serving as both an economic engine and a symbol of national strength, nations are racing to structure their innovation systems. Iran, too, aims to leverage its young workforce, technical universities, and knowledge-based companies to advance in this global competition.

 

The Olympiad is designed as more than a contest of ideas—it is a national initiative for real-world problem-solving and innovation. By connecting researchers, industry, and investors, it seeks to showcase Iran’s growing capabilities in sectors such as energy, health, AI, space, and cybersecurity.

 

A Global and Competitive Platform

This year’s Olympiad features six specialized categories:

  1. Artificial Intelligence
  2. Cybersecurity
  3. Internet of Things (IoT)
  4. Programming
  5. Combat Robotics
  6. Drones

 

International participation is notable, with contestants from Pakistan (18), Oman (11), Vietnam (5), Russia (4), Tunisia (4), Iraq (4), Turkey (2), Bangladesh (2), Azerbaijan (2), India (2), Lebanon (2), and one each from Indonesia, Romania, Algeria, and the Netherlands.

 

In total, more than 10,000 Iranian and around 1,000 international participants are competing. The cybersecurity section alone offers over $13,000 in cash prizes across three professional leagues.

 

IoT Challenge and Talent Hub

The IoT competition focuses on practical innovation in smart cities, digital agriculture, and industrial automation. Teams must design and present real-world IoT solutions in one day, addressing challenges such as LoRa and NB-IoT systems, security and authentication, energy efficiency, bandwidth, and connectivity management.

 

The final round, beginning today with 20 teams, features a Capture the Flag (CTF) challenge that tests crisis management and energy optimization in IoT applications. Another highlight is the Technology Olympiad Work Station, connecting tech talents with innovation-driven companies through programs like:

  • Talent Stage – five-minute public pitches by job seekers,
  • 30-in-30 Duel – rapid 30-second exchanges between applicants and employers, and
  • Job Meet – one-on-one interviews arranged through résumé matching.

 

This Olympiad aims to build a lasting innovation ecosystem by linking science, industry, and the market. This event could become a permanent platform for training Iran’s next generation of innovators and reinforcing the nation’s technological independence and global role.

Iran Launches Second “Technology Olympiad”

Iran Launches Second “Technology Olympiad”. Social media/ WANA News Agency