Press release – 2026
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN
REPUBLICAN SCIENTIFIC-PRACTICAL CENTRE «DARYN»
National School of Physics and Mathematics
Almaty to Host the International Zhautykov Olympiad in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science (IZhO 2026)
The International Zhautykov Olympiad for schoolchildren in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science is being held in the country for the 22nd time. Considering the rapid development of new technologies globally, participation in this Olympiad offers students a valuable opportunity to increase their interest in research activities and intensify their desire to make a significant contribution to innovative technological progress.
The 22nd International Zhautykov Olympiad for schoolchildren in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science (IZhO 2026) will be held in Almaty from January 10 to 14.
More than 700 schoolchildren and 150 leaders from 15 countries are expected to participate. Participating countries include Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, and Mongolia. Team composition is determined by the results of national subject Olympiads.
Each team comprises two leaders (a mathematics teacher and a physics teacher) and seven participants: three in mathematics, two in physics, and two in computer science. Participation by teams with an incomplete composition is permitted.
A maximum of four teams per foreign country may participate in the Olympiad. Teams that secured prize-winning places in the team competition of the previous year’s Olympiad are granted the right to participate outside this quota.
By decision of the Organizing Committee, individual participants with significant achievements in other Olympiads may also be allowed to compete.
The organizers of the Olympiad are the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre «Daryn» , and NJSC «National School of Physics and Mathematics».
The Olympiad will span five days and feature two rounds. The tasks, in terms of complexity, align with the curriculum of specialized academic classes and are compiled by an international jury. Askar Zhumadildaev, an Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, will serve as the chairman of the jury.
Following the results of the Zhautykov Olympiad, participants will receive certificates and commemorative gifts. Winners and prize-winners will receive I, II, and III degree diplomas, as well as gold, silver, and bronze medals.
The opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympiad will be broadcast live on the official YouTube channel.
Financial and Registration Details:
– Teams from foreign countries shall pay an organizational fee of USD 2,500.
– Individual participants from foreign countries shall pay an organizational fee of USD 500.
Registration of Foreign Teams:
Starting from this year and in subsequent years, the registration of foreign teams will be carried out only through the Ministries of Education (the organizations responsible for regulating the participation of national teams in international Olympiads). For example, teams from the Russian Federation submit their applications through the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation (Moscow).
Schedule and Venues:
The opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympiad will be held in one of the palaces of Almaty with the participation of the Akim of the city, representatives of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and embassies of the participating countries.
– Arrival of teams and Opening ceremony: 10 January 2026;
– Round I: 11 January 2026;
– Round II: 12 January 2026;
– Coordination: 13 January 2026;
– Closing ceremony and Departure of teams: 14 January 2026.
Participant registration Deadlines:
– Pre-registration: until November 15, 2025;
– Full team registration: until December 12, 2025.
Main Olympiad Venue:
– Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science (Rounds I and II) – National School of Physics and Mathematics (36 Bukhar Zhyrau Boulevard, Almaty).
Organizing Committee Contact:
Republic of Kazakhstan, 010000, Astana, 8/2 Mәңгіlіk El str., BC ‘Altyn Orda’, RNPC ‘Daryn’. Phone. +7-7172 576574, izho@fizmat.kz.