Four Iranian female students secured medals at the Open International Geography Olympiad (OpenGeo) 2026, marking a notable achievement for the country in this global academic competition. Held online on June 20 and 21, the event brought together secondary school students from 27 countries to compete in various geography-related challenges.

Among the Iranian participants, Artina Heidari earned a silver medal, while Setayesh Haqnazari, Sana Karbalaei Vali, and Helia Khodabandelou each received bronze medals. This represents the first time Iranian students have won multiple medals at the OpenGeo, highlighting their strong proficiency in geography and geographical analysis.

The OpenGeo competition is designed to foster interest in geography among secondary school students worldwide. It aims to develop geographical thinking, analytical abilities, and practical skills, while also encouraging international collaboration among young geographers. The contest is open to students aged 14 to 19 years who are currently enrolled in secondary school or graduating in 2026.

Organized by the Faculty of Geography at Lomonosov Moscow State University, in partnership with Moscow State University High School and the Primakov School, the event featured a rigorous set of examinations. Participants completed a Written Response Test (WRT) lasting two and a half hours, a Practical and Mapping Exercise (PME) of the same duration, and a one-hour Multimedia Test (MMT).

The success of the Iranian students at OpenGeo 2026 is seen as a significant step toward preparing them for future participation in the International Geography Olympiad (IGO), an even more prestigious competition in the field. Their medals underscore the depth of geographical knowledge and skills being developed among young learners in Iran.