Historic achievement marks a major milestone for the country’s young scientists and validates years of investment in developing world-class chemistry talent.
Trinidad and Tobago has earned its first-ever medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), marking a historic breakthrough for the nation’s scientific community and for the National Chemistry Olympiad programme led by The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine Campus in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
Reginald Mohammed, a student of Naparima College, secured a Bronze Medal at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad, held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from July 10–19, 2026, becoming the first Trinidad and Tobago representative to earn a medal at the world’s most prestigious chemistry competition for students under the age of 20 who have not yet begun tertiary education. The Trinidad and Tobago team also comprised Leon Copilah of Iere High School, Soren Narine of Fatima College and Zeeshaan Lall of Naparima College.
Participation in the International Chemistry Olympiad is by invitation only. Countries must first complete a rigorous two-year evaluation and monitoring process before being admitted to the competition. Trinidad and Tobago successfully completed that process and was granted permission to participate in 2021.
Often referred to as the central science, chemistry underpins many of the industries and innovations that shape modern society. In Trinidad and Tobago, it has long been fundamental to the petrochemical sector, one of the pillars of the national economy. Looking ahead, chemistry will play an increasingly important role in advancing sustainable energy, new materials, environmental protection and therapeutic innovation. The Caribbean is also uniquely positioned to contribute to the growing global demand for naturally derived and plant-based medicines, drawing on the region’s rich biodiversity. Developing the next generation of chemists is therefore not only an investment in education, but in the region’s future competitiveness, resilience and sustainable development.
Recognising the importance of developing scientific talent early, The UWI and the Ministry of Education established the Trinidad and Tobago Chemistry Olympiad (TTChO) in 2019 during the Faculty of Science and Technology’s Science Week under the leadership of then Dean, Professor Brian Cockburn. The programme was created to identify, challenge and develop exceptionally talented secondary school students while preparing them to compete at the highest international level.
Since joining the International Chemistry Olympiad in 2021, Trinidad and Tobago has steadily strengthened its performance, first competing virtually before making its in-person debut in Switzerland in 2023, followed by participation in the United Arab Emirates in 2025 and now Uzbekistan in 2026.
The achievement is particularly significant given the relative youth of Trinidad and Tobago’s programme. While many countries have participated in the International Chemistry Olympiad for decades without earning a medal, Trinidad and Tobago has reached this milestone in only its fourth official participation. For the organisers, the result reflects the steady strengthening of the national programme and reinforces confidence that this is the first of many such achievements to come.
Dr. Nigel K. Jalsa, Coordinator of the Trinidad and Tobago Chemistry Olympiad, described the medal as an important milestone for the national programme.
“This medal didn’t happen overnight. It represents years of deliberately raising the standard of our programme, challenging our students beyond the secondary school curriculum and helping them realise that they can compete with the very best young chemists in the world. Today, Trinidad and Tobago has shown that it belongs on that stage.”
The International Chemistry Olympiad challenges students with two five-hour examinations, one theoretical and one practical, that require advanced scientific reasoning, creativity and laboratory skills extending well beyond the secondary school curriculum.
Preparing students for that level of competition requires months of intensive instruction. Following the first round of the Trinidad and Tobago Chemistry Olympiad, the country’s highest-performing students participate in an intensive programme of online and face-to-face training delivered by faculty from The UWI’s Department of Chemistry while simultaneously preparing for their Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations.
That training is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of faculty whose expertise spans the major disciplines of chemistry. This year’s academic team comprised:
- Dr. Nigel K. Jalsa – Chief Examiner and Organic Chemistry
- Dr. Denise Beckles – Analytical and Environmental Chemistry
- Dr. Lorale Lalgee – Physical Chemistry
- Dr. Wilson Sue Chee Ming – Inorganic Chemistry
- Dr. Ramish Pingal and Dr. Terry Mohammed – Laboratory Training
According to the programme’s coordinators, the medal reflects a deliberate strategy of progressively raising the standard of the national competition and training programme to better align with the demands of the International Chemistry Olympiad. Since its inception, the examinations have become increasingly rigorous, encouraging students to develop the analytical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills expected at the international level.
The programme has also demonstrated that success in the Olympiad often translates into broader academic excellence. Former participants have gone on to distinguish themselves nationally in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), including Elizabeth Singh of Naparima Girls’ High School, who represented Trinidad and Tobago at the 2025 International Chemistry Olympiad before earning the President’s Medal.
Participation in the Trinidad and Tobago Chemistry Olympiad is open to secondary school students across the country, with entries from students as early as Form Two. Students may participate either independently or through their schools, allowing talented young scientists to engage with chemistry beyond the classroom and benefit from a competition benchmarked against international standards.
The University also acknowledged the Ministry of Education, participating secondary schools, teachers, parents and the programme’s corporate sponsors whose continued support has made Trinidad and Tobago’s participation in the International Chemistry Olympiad possible. Competing at the international level requires significant financial investment, including registration fees, international travel and accommodation for students and mentors, making sustained partnerships essential to the programme’s continued success.
Beyond international competition, the Trinidad and Tobago Chemistry Olympiad continues to encourage secondary school students to pursue excellence in chemistry, develop advanced scientific thinking and explore opportunities in scientific research and innovation.
As Trinidad and Tobago celebrates its first International Chemistry Olympiad medal, The UWI remains committed to strengthening the national Chemistry Olympiad programme and working with its partners to ensure that even more young scientists have the opportunity to represent the country with distinction on the world stage.