The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) is an annual competition for the world’s most talented chemistry students at the secondary school level. Nations around the world send a team of four students who are tested on their chemistry knowledge and skills in a five-hour laboratory practical exam and a five-hour written theoretical examination that are held on separate days with the practical examination usually being before the theoretical examination.

In 2023, the IChO is going to be held in Switzerland by ETH Zurich from 16 – 25 July 2023. Further information including preparatory problems can be found by logging on to https://www.icho2023.ch/.

Nepal Chemistry Olympiad (NeChO)

The NeChO is the national qualifier to the IChO. There are different stages of the NeChO, which are outlined as follows:

• Stage A: District Chemistry Contest
• Stage B: Final 8 Selection
• Stage C: Selection of National Delegates and Alternates

The Stage A of NeChO 2023 is held in conjunction with District Chemistry Contest. Certificates of commendation will be provided to students ranking first in their district. Likewise, considering whole Nepal as a single pool, gold, silver, and bronze awards will be provided in a ratio of 1:2:3 respectively to students crossing a benchmark threshold set, as far as possible. If the overall performance is of the candidates is not deemed satisfactory, then the ratio may not be maintained. If a student comes first in their district but do not qualify for a medal, then they will not be provided with district-level recognition. The district a student represents depends on the district their most currently attended academic institution is located.

For the Stage B, gold medalists from Stage A will be informed about the syllabus materials and examination date. The examination will be held in multiple phases with continuous evaluation of their knowledge of chemistry. Candidates will receive mentorship throughout the stage as well as their laboratory skills will also be assessed. From all the gold medalists in Stage A, only 8 individuals will be selected in Stage B. From these 8 individuals, the national delegates and national alternates will be selected in Stage C.

Candidates willing to take part in the NeChO should meet the following criterias:

Individuals must meet the following requirements when registering for NeChO:

• Not be greater than 20 years of age by July 1, 2023.
• Not have enrolled in an institution of post-secondary education, in Nepal or anywhere around the world.
• Attended secondary education in Nepal for a minimum of two academic years

The registration fee for NeChO is Rs. 1000.00/- per individual. If the individual is recommended by their academic institution, then the cost of registration is Rs. 800.00/-.

Syllabus

Theoretical

• Thermodynamics: relation between equilibrium constants and standard reaction Gibbs free energy, relation between thermodynamic and electrochemical data.

• Kinetics: orders of reaction, half-life, rates defined as time derivatives of concentrations,

    use of integrated rate laws, classic approximations.

• Basic quantum chemistry: notion of wavefunction, expression of simple molecular orbitals,

    electronic energy levels, crystal field theory.

• Spectroscopy: simple IR spectroscopy (identification of chemical groups only), 1H NMR

    spectroscopy (chemical shifts, integrals, couplings and multiplicity).

• Polymers: block copolymers, polymerization, polydispersity, simple size exclusion

    chromatography (SEC).

• Stereochemistry: stereoisomers in organic and inorganic chemistry, stereoselectivity in

    organic synthesis.

Practical

• Techniques in organic synthesis (drying of a precipitate, recrystallization, TLC).

• Use of a spectrophotometer (mono-wavelength measurements).

Competition Details

Nepal Chemistry Olympiad 2022

Registration Deadline: February 28, 2022

Primary Selection: March, 2022

International Chemistry Olympiad 2022

Date: July

Venue: Tianjin, China

NeChO Resources

Registration Form
Syllabus
Model Questions
Past NeChO Results and Questions

Aims of the competition

The Nepal Chemistry Olympiad (NeChO) is a chemistry competition for students at secondary school level with the aim of promoting national and international contacts in chemistry. It is intended to stimulate the activities of students interested in chemistry by way of the independent and creative solution of chemical problems. The NeChO competitions help to facilitate cordial relations between young adults of different nationalities; they encourage cooperation and international understanding.

Contact

STEM Foundation Nepal Facebook Page
Call STEM Foundation Nepal: 9851316171

Email Sarwesh Parajuli (Bronze Medalist IChO 2022; NeChO organizing committee): sarwesh@sarwesh.com