Cox’s Bazar’s young talent, Adiba Ibnat Ira, has made it to the finals of the international Zero Olympiad competition. A seventh-grade student at Cox’s Bazar International School, Ira has brought pride to her district by surpassing thousands of participants worldwide to secure her spot as a finalist.
Hailing from Jowaria Nala Sikdar Para, Ramu, Ira is the daughter of Mohammad Saifuddin and Selina Akter. She has received international-standard English training for the past three years at Speak Up, a Cox’s Bazar-based institution specializing in grammar, spoken English, and phonetics.
Ira expressed her joy: “Becoming a finalist in the Zero Olympiad is a dream come true for me. I am deeply grateful to my parents, teachers, and my mentor at Speak Up, Russell Sir, for their continuous support and encouragement. This achievement fuels my ambition to accomplish even greater things in the future. I aspire to excel academically while becoming a good human being, making my parents proud. I seek everyone’s blessings on my journey ahead.”
Ira’s father, Mohammad Saifuddin, said that his daughter secured a place in the final round of the Zero Olympiad’s SDG-3 category, competing against thousands worldwide.
“I express my utmost gratitude to Allah. Under the guidance of Russell Sir from Speak Up and with the support of Cox’s Bazar International School, Ira has come this far. I hope she grows into a person who contributes to her country and the world. Please keep her in your prayers,” he added.
Her mother, Selina Akter, added that Ira’s success in reaching the final stage of the Zero Olympiad fills them with pride and joy.
Russell, CEO and instructor at Speak Up, said that among thousands of participants, Ira secured a spot among 51 finalists from Bangladesh, competing alongside finalists from London, Oman, China, and Turkey.
“I congratulate her on this outstanding achievement. I have trained extraordinary students who excel in both grammar and spoken English. Their English skills meet global standards, allowing them to compete on an international level. Ira is a testament to this excellence,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ira’s success brought a moment of pride for Cox’s Bazar. Her family extended special thanks to Speak Up’s Russell and the teachers at Cox’s Bazar International School for their pivotal role in her achievement.
With a bright future ahead, Ira is determined to contribute to Bangladesh and the world significantly.
By Rajin Saleh
Photo: Courtesy
