Lebanon's first science olympiad program.
We are building Lebanon's first training program for international scientific competitions, starting with mathematics. Observer status at the IMO in 2026, competing team in 2028.
About
Who we are
The Lebanese Science Organization (LSO) is a training program for Lebanese high school students preparing for international scientific competitions. We are beginning with the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) because Lebanon has never sent a team to the competition, and we are changing that.
In 2026, we registered with the IMO Board to attend the competition in Shanghai as observers. This gives us two years to study how other countries run their programs before fielding a team in 2028. We have the backing of the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and the Mathematics departments of AUB, LAU, and NDU have expressed interest in supporting the program.
Goals
What we are working toward
IMO participation
Send a Lebanese team to the IMO for the first time. We are attending as observers in 2026 and plan to field a competing team at the 2028 edition in Saudi Arabia.
Training program
Run a mathematics training program for Lebanese high school students, with problems, resources, and contact with experienced coaches.
University admissions
Strong performance at the IMO is one of the most reliable ways for a student to get into competitive undergraduate mathematics programs abroad.
IOI and IPhO
Once the math program is running, we intend to start similar programs for informatics (IOI) and physics (IPhO).
Scope
Olympiads
International Mathematical Olympiad
ActiveAn annual mathematics competition held each July for high school students. Six problems over two days. Lebanon will attend as an observer in Shanghai in 2026.
International Olympiad in Informatics
PlannedAn annual competitive programming competition for high school students. We plan to start a separate program for this once the math program is stable.
International Physics Olympiad
PlannedAn annual physics competition with theoretical and experimental components. Also on the roadmap, with Ralph Razzouk leading the effort.
Updates
Latest
Observer registration confirmed
Lebanon registered with the IMO Board to attend the 2026 competition in Shanghai as observers.
University support secured
Mathematics departments at AUB, LAU, and NDU expressed interest in supporting the program.
Backing
Supported by
