Zabeer Zarif Akhter, a student at St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, has been granted the opportunity to participate in the prestigious CERN-Solvay student camp in Geneva, Switzerland, set to take place from April 19 to April 25, 2026.
The CERN-Solvay student camp is a week-long residential program hosted at the renowned European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the world’s largest particle physics laboratory located in Geneva. During the camp, attendees will have the chance to explore research facilities, engage in guided experiments, and interact with leading scientists in the field.
Among a competitive global pool of approximately 2,500 applicants from 120 countries, only around 30 students worldwide were selected for the international student camp program, with Zabeer being one of the successful candidates.
Zabeer underwent a rigorous selection process, which included completing an online course mandated by the program, providing his academic transcript, securing a recommendation letter from a teacher, presenting a one-minute video, and responding to eight detailed questions outlining his motivation and engagements.
His exceptional track record in international science competitions, such as achieving national championship and global finalist status in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, securing gold and silver medals in the World Innovative Science Project Olympiad 2024, and earning a bronze medal in the Genius Olympiad 2025, played a pivotal role in bolstering his application.
Expressing his aspirations, Zabeer aims to leverage his experience at CERN to enhance his comprehension of experimental physics and hopes to bring back valuable insights that will motivate more Bangladeshi students to pursue careers in science and research.
Zabeer completed his SSC in 2023 at Bogura Cantonment Public School & College and is currently a student in the HSC 2025 batch at St. Joseph.