Students display models at the International Creativity Science Olympiad. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Nov. 3: The International Science Creativity Olympiad saw three teams from the neighbouring Saarc countries of Bangladesh and Nepal, but managed to draw only a lukewarm response from students.

The Bangladesh team complained that the ‘Creativity Olympiad’ did not provide an opportunity to showcase their creativity. “We were given the designs on paper which required to be given a concrete shape,” said a dejected Ratul Raihan from Bangladesh.

The teams were required to give a shape to the models provided to them by the organisers in the final round. “More than their creativity, it was a test of their application of originality by using minimum resources to get the model and then sell it for maximum profit,” said S.K. Singh, chairman of the organisers, Institution of Engineers.

Sahil Gurung, a student from Nepal, was not complaining. Particularly impressed with the model-making round, he found the written questions very easy to tackle. “The questions were quite interesting,” said an excited Sahil, adding: “This country gives a lot of emphasis on learning through practical handling.”

Although disappointed after a 20-hour journey from their country, the Bangladesh team, too, is impressed with the high standard of general education here. “Back in our place, we learn things quite late. The same lessons are taught here in the junior classes,” put in Anindya Shams.