Media Release

Mangaluru, Nov 13: Centre for Advanced Learning (CFAL) student Prathyush P Poduval has won the silver medal in the International Olympiad in Astronomy & Astrophysics (IOAA- 2018).

The 2018 Olympiad was held from November 3 to 11 in Beijing, China. There were 214 students competing including students from countries highly advanced in Astrophysics, Astronomy and Space sciences such as U.S., Russia and China. Around 40 countries participated in the Olympiad. Overall, India bagged three silver and two bronze medals.

Prathysh P Poduval, son of Sunitha P Poduval and Prasanth P Poduval is a motivated student who looks for challenges beyond the school curriculum. He is a self-directed learner and his interests include astronomy, physics and mathematics. His teachers at CFAL have mentored him over the years in solving physics and mathematical puzzles and in developing deep love for the subjects.

Prathyush P Poduval

Prathyush, who studied Advanced Sciences and Mathematics at CFALfrom his 8th grade, presently pursueinghis studiesat IISc. (Indian Institute Of Science, Bangalore), his dream institute; the premier institute for pure sciences in the country. Prathyush is the Karnataka state topper in KVPY 2017-18 who is benefitingthe KVPY scholarship of Rs 84,000/- per annum during his studies at IISc in Bengaluru. In NSEP 2017(1st stage of International Physics Olympiad) Prathyush secured first rank from Karnataka state.

While many private entities conduct different Olympiads, there is only one Olympiad that is recognized by the Government of India and alsorecognized internationally (Like the Olympics for sport). Homi Bhabha Centre for Science education and Research, Mumbai is the nodal centre of the country for Olympiad programs. The International Olympiads in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Astronomy and Junior Science is an annual event, which is held every year in different countries.

Prathyush had attended Ross Math Camp, which was held in Ohio state university, USA in the months of June and July 2018. He was one among the very few students selected from all over the world to attend this completely sponsored Math camp.

In 2018, four students from Mangaluru had qualified for the selection camp of the International Olympiads. All these students are/were studying at CFAL Mangaluru. These students were selected to the prestigious Third stage Olympiad programs i.e. orientation cum Selection Camps 2018. - Mathematics (Aneesh and Aditya), Biology (Shreyas), and Astronomy (Pratyush). Among them Pratyush was selected in the five-memberIndian team in IOAA. He was the only student selected from South Indiain the team.

In 2017, CFAL student Aditya Prakash was one among the six students who represented India in the International Math Olympiad held in Brazil. This representation was after a period of 21 years from Karnataka and is a great achievement for a student from Mangaluru.

In 2014, CFAL student Sumith (Physics and Chemistry) and in 2013, CFAL student Sunil Simha (Astronomy) were among the 35 students in the country to reach the prestigious third stage and had an opportunity to attend the orientation cum selection camp at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science education, Mumbai.

At CFAL Mangaluru, the focus of learning is not only on marks, but in developing a strong foundation, passion and excellence in STEM subjects. From the coastal region of Karnataka, the students of CFAL have consistently achieved the best results in different scholarship and entrance exams.

National level exams like Olympiads,KVPY and JEE Advanced help motivate students to strive for better and deeper understanding of scientific facts and data. It helps them to enhance their reasoning, analytical and problem-solving skills.Participating in Olympiad exams, representing one’s state or country at national and international level,and above all winning a medal is a matter of great joy and pride.

School (Science and Math) versus Olympiad (Science and Math)

The Science and Mathematical Olympiad exams require ingenious thinking and a good mastery over the fundamentals of science &mathematics. Essentially, these exams are full of deep puzzles which require persistent and creative approaches. The competition is fierce and the questions are some of the toughest in the world.

In contrast, school syllabus focus on rote learning and standardized computation. While this approach allows securing marks in board exams, it discourages original thinking and denies the thrill of problem solving. As a result, gifted students have to look for challenges outside the school curriculum.

CFAL promotes original thinking among students. In JEE-Main & JEE-Adv 2018, all the four toppers of D.K. district are CFAL students. JEE-Main & JEE-Adv2017 and 2016, toppers from the district were also from CFAL.

The Science and Math Olympiad exams identify gifted students who are generally nurtured into future researchers. Many Olympiad toppers from a decade ago are making great strides in mathematics, sciences and computer science today. They do this with consistent and generous help from the government of India.

Details are available on websites: http://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in.

For further details please contact: Centre for Advanced Learning (CFAL) at Bejai- Kapikad. # 9740939374/9845737120 website: www.cfalindia.com.