SERBIAN STUDENTS RETURNED HOME: Here’s what they said after their great success at the chemistry Olympiad in Brazil!

From the International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad in Brazil, Serbian high school students returned with two silver and two bronze medals. Students from Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Kruševac made up the Serbian team.

The Serbian team achieved its greatest success at the Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad. Competitors explain that the tasks are far more difficult than at the International Chemistry Olympiad, and the competition is much stronger.

The tasks were done on the first two days, and the experiment on the third, which was the most successful part of the competition for our students.

Bronze medalist Andrej Drobnjaković states that the competition was very interesting and highlighted titrations, the most classic experiment in chemistry, as one of the interesting tasks.

“We were given certain reagents, and we had to understand, based on some functional groups, for example on aspirin or other drugs that were given to us, what exactly was in the mixture,” said Drobnjaković.

Luka Švraka from Novi Sad, who also won a bronze medal, described the tasks as challenging but educational.

“We dealt with the most diverse areas of chemistry. I can say that the most important thing for me was the cooperation and socializing with my team Andrej, Uroš, and Janko, as well as our mentor Professor Niko, but also with competitors from other countries around the world,” Švraka pointed out.

Uncertainty of Departure

Uroš Mladenović brought a silver medal back to Serbia and Kruševac.

“This was truly a beautiful, unexpected experience; at first, we didn’t even know if this Olympiad would take place, and then when we went, it was really beautiful. I have to say that I didn’t expect these results that we achieved; I was very happy and very proud,” Mladenović recalled.

The students were prepared by an informal group of mentors despite the decision of the Serbian Chemical Society to cancel all competitions, including the Serbian Chemistry Olympiad. The competitors say they learned a lot from them.

FIND OUT MORE IN SERBIAN:

One-Week, but Effective Preparations

Team leader Niko Radulović said that the preparations, due to various circumstances, were held in Niš and lasted a week.

“The preparations were problematic both organizationally and financially; however, it turned out to be effective. Not only were they brilliant in showing knowledge in both theory and experiment, but they were also wonderful in terms of teamwork and showed great maturity,” said Radulović.

Team mentor Vidak Raičević emphasized that all participants of the Olympiad are needed by our society.

“The tasks that students solve at international Olympiads are roughly at the level of master’s studies, and it is no wonder that universities like Oxford or Harvard gladly open their doors to those Olympians who are adorned with medals. If you ask me, I would cherish them like the apple of my eye,” concluded Raičević.

Nevertheless, the Serbian Chemical Society is organizing a selection competition in June for the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad in Dubai. The selection of competitors, as stated on the Society’s website, was made based on last year’s placement at the national chemistry competition. Among them are the medal winners in Brazil.