IOI is one of the most recognized computer science competitions in the world. It is an annual international informatics competition for youngsters from 6 to 20 years old, organized in one of the member states in the International Informatics Committee.
It aims at stimulating interest in informatics and information technology among young generations as well as bringing together talented students from various countries to share scientific and cultural experiences.
The competition is based on using programming skills in solving problems, while presenting these problems in a gradual way in terms of difficulty.
The competition tasks are of algorithmic nature. Contestants have to show basic IT skills like problem analysis, designing algorithms and data structures, programming and testing.
The idea of IOI was first introduced during the 24th General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris by the Bulgarian delegate Professor Bojidar Sendov in October 1987.
In 1989, the first IOI was held in Bulgaria to become an event hosted annually by a different country. The IOI plan was included into the 5th Main Program of UNESCO for the biennium 1988-1989.
Every year, more than 80 countries and 300 candidates participate at the annual contest of IOI.
The 24th IOI is to be held in Garda Exhibition Center, Sirmione, Italy, in September 2012, while the 23rd IOI was held in Pattaya, Thailand, July 2011.
Over the years, Egypt has become a strong competitor at the International Olympiad in Informatics winning several medals.
In 2011, the Egyptian team won two silver and one bronze medals. Winning such a number of medals for the first time reflects the Egyptian youth capacities regarding methodological thinking, innovation and development.
Egypt won the first bronze medal in IOI 2005 held in Poland, then gained a similar one during the IOI 2006 organized by Mexico.
The fact that Egypt won these medals reflects the positive output of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology strategy that encourages the IT utilization among the youths through a specialized contest in informatics as well as discovering and supporting young IT talents.
2008 is a remarkable year in the history of the international competition. In this year, Egypt hosted the IOI during which the Egyptian team won a bronze medal.
The competition took place at the Mubarak City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications, 6th of October City under the patronage of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Arab Academy for Science and Technology.
In Bulgaria, 2009, the Egyptian team won three bronzes. In 2010, Egypt won one silver and one bronze medal in Waterloo, Canada.
This is the first time that Egypt wins a silver medal since the IOI kicked off.
According to the 2010 competition final results, Egypt surpassed Finland, Sweden, Denmark, South Africa, England, France, Australia, Argentina, Spain, Greece, Belgium and Luxemburg.
The 26th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) 2014 is held in Taipei, Taiwan on July 13-20.
This year, the completion focuses on innovation of effective designs and correct algorithms. Input and output are to be kept as simple as possible.
Groups are to compete over two days and contestants will be given three tasks to complete in five hours.
Egypt participates at IOI 2014 with a 6-member team. Egypt has been taking part at IOI since 2005 and was a hosting country in 2008. Egypt, throughout its participation in the contest, gained several silver and bronze medals.
