The Islamic Republic of Iran is placed among the top five countries in international Olympiads as Iranian students have gained major achievements in various scientific fields and competitions across the world.

Elham Yavari, head of the National Organization for the Development of Brilliant Talents known as SAMPAD, described the educational system of other countries as “excellent” but said Iran is among the top five countries in the world in international Olympiads.

Yavari pointed to a reform-based plan approved in Iran’s Ministry of Education in 2011 that defined a 20-year prospect for the elevation of educational standards and improvement of educational system across the country.

The head of SAMPAD said the scheme, dubbed the Fundamental Reform Document, educates students in the six fields of sports, science, entrepreneurship and economy, society, religion and culture.

“The document calls on the Ministry of Education to train students in all fields and develop their talent,” Yavari said, adding, “The educational system of other countries is excellent, but Iran is among the top five countries in the world Olympiads.”

Back in August, Iranian students won the third place in the 16th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics in Silesia, Poland.

Britain won the event’s first place with five gold medals and India finished runner-up with four golds and one silver.

A month earlier, Iranian students won six medals at the 64th International Mathematical Olympiad, which was hosted by the Japanese city of Chiba.

The Iranian student team also bagged five medals at the 53rd International Physics Olympiad hosted by Tokyo in July.