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Founder's message

Silver Jubilee Year of MicrobiOlympiad: Curiosity, Competition, and Celebrations

(From a small idea in 2001 to a national movement in 2026)

— Prof. Ulhas K. Patil, Founder

Some journeys begin with a plan; others begin with a dream. The journey of the MicrobiOlympiad began in 2001 with a simple dream — to create a platform where graduate students of microbiology could come together, think beyond textbooks, challenge themselves, celebrate their knowledge, and, most importantly, nurture a deeper curiosity about the invisible world of microbes.

Twenty-five years later, as we celebrate the 'Silver Jubilee edition' of the MicrobiOlympiad, I look back with a heart full of gratitude, pride and satisfaction.

The initiative, which began in 2001 as a microbiological contest, was transformed into the MicrobiOlympiad from 2010. The first 19 editions were held at R. C. Patel A. S. C. College, Shirpur (2001–2019). The journey then reached the Government Institute of Science, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (2020–2023), and the 24th edition was held at C. K. T. College, Panvel. And now, in 2026, we stand at a historic juncture — the 25th MicrobiOlympiad, our Silver Jubilee.

The continuity of this journey is itself something to celebrate. Even when the whole world was on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, the curiosity of young microbiologists did not cool. The 20th MicrobiOlympiad was successfully conducted on an online platform — proof that the true movement of education cannot be halted by material boundaries.

In recent years participation has naturally seen its ups and downs, but the spirit of the MicrobiOlympiad has kept expanding. To date, more than 110 colleges from different parts of India have taken part, and over 7,200 students have become a part of this remarkable journey.

But the MicrobiOlympiad is not merely a competition. It is a celebration of curiosity. It is a place where a student comes to understand that microbiology is not confined to the microscope, the laboratory, or the textbook — it lives in agriculture, food, health, the environment, biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, and everyday life.

That same philosophy expanded the MicrobiOlympiad into a variety of creative and intellectual competitions:

Microbiological Contest – Undergraduate (UG), Microbiological Contest – Postgraduate (PG); MicrobioSlate; MicrobioCanvas; MicrobioPodium; MicrobioRead; MicrobioSoft; MicrobioWord; MicrobioAI; MicrobioModel; MicrobioTalk; MicrobioStreetPlay.

Each new competition added a new dimension to microbiology — knowledge, creativity, communication, technology, ingenuity, and social awareness.

The MicrobiOlympiad beyond India

One of the most notable milestones in this journey was the opportunity to present the concept of the MicrobiOlympiad on an international platform. My proposal, “MicrobiOlympiad – an Innovative Contest of Microbiology for Undergraduate Students,” was accepted as a Microbrew presentation and successfully presented at the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMCUE), held online from 29 June to 1 July 2021. Presenting this concept to the international faculty community at the undergraduate level was a deeply meaningful moment for me. What had begun in 2001 as a small initiative among microbiology students in India had reached an international platform dedicated to innovative methods of microbiology education across geographical boundaries. For me, it was far more than an acceptance. It affirmed that an idea born in the classrooms and laboratories of India can be equally relevant and effective globally. It strengthened my belief that innovation does not always demand enormous resources. Sometimes it begins with a simple question:

How can we make students curious enough to go beyond the curriculum?

The MicrobiOlympiad has been my constant effort to answer that question. This international recognition once again underlined one of the core philosophies behind the initiative — competition becomes a powerful medium of learning when it is not merely a test of memorisation, but a trigger for curiosity, creativity, scientific thinking, and communication.

The purpose of this journey

The objectives of the MicrobiOlympiad have always been simple but effective:

  1. To develop students' ability to apply biological and scientific principles.
  2. To evaluate their understanding of the nature, diversity, and functions of microorganisms.
  3. To build competitive readiness, scientific temper, and self-confidence among microbiology students.
  4. To encourage students to present scientific ideas through words, pictures, models, technology, and presentation.

And yet, over these 25 years, I discovered another purpose — one that was never formally written into the original plan.

The MicrobiOlympiad as my own journey of self-improvement

Every year, preparing for the MicrobiOlympiad required me to learn something new. In the early years I immersed myself in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Then came online platforms and Google Forms to run the quizzes. The technology kept changing, and the MicrobiOlympiad compelled me to change with it.

Today, as we enter the Silver Jubilee year, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become yet another teacher on my journey. Preparing for the MicrobiOlympiad has given me the chance to discover AI tools, explore new possibilities, and understand how this emerging technology can enrich learning.

And so, though I set out to build a platform for students, I gradually realised that this platform was educating me too. The MicrobiOlympiad kept me a student — always learning.

  • Every question I create — makes me read.
  • Every new competition — makes me experiment.
  • Every student who participates — makes me think.
  • Every change in technology — makes me learn something new.
  • And every new edition — reminds me that education is a lifelong journey of curiosity.

Preparing for a MicrobiOlympiad demands dedication throughout the year. Still, December and January are the two months when my focus turns entirely to the next edition. Questions, ideas, concepts, formats, and possibilities constantly turn over in my mind during those months.

Looking back, I realise that the MicrobiOlympiad has given me something far more valuable than the hosting of an event. It has given me 25 years of interaction with curious young minds — students who asked questions, competed, created, performed, and inspired.

A movement built by many hands

No founder can build a 25-year journey single-handedly. Whatever the MicrobiOlympiad is today is the result of the sincere cooperation of institution heads, teachers, coordinators, volunteers, examiners, organisers, and — most importantly — the participating students.

I express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this journey over the years. My heartfelt thanks to Mr. Vinod Patil, Mr. Sachin Achardoy, Dr. Rahul Salunkhe, Ms. Neeta Bashani, Ms. Deepmala Bhandari, Mr. Chetan Chavan, Mr. Kamlesh Kurankar, Dr. Sandeep Patil, Dr. Narendra Mokashe, Mr. Manoj Patil, Ms. Madhavi Shirsath, and Dr. Ashwini Patil — along with countless colleagues and well-wishers who devoted their time, energy, and enthusiasm to the success of the MicrobiOlympiad's early years.

I am equally grateful to the current team, whose dedication continues to carry this legacy forward:

  • Dr. Jayashree Bhuktar — National Level Convener
  • Shri. Nachiket Atale — Organizing Secretary
  • Shri. Tushar Gaikwad — Convener, Microbiological Contest (UG)
  • Dr. Bhaurao Chaushetye — Convener, Microbiological Contest (PG)
  • Dr. Navin Dandi — Convener, MicrobioSlate
  • Dr. Sandeep Wagh — Convener, MicrobioCanvas
  • Dr. Nayana Patil — Convener, MicrobioPodium
  • Dr. Samadhan Waghmode — Convener, MicrobioRead
  • Dr. Rajendra Choure — Convener, MicrobioSoft
  • Dr. Nitinkumar Patil — Convener, MicrobioWord
  • Ms. Aksa Majgaonkar — Convener, MicrobioAI
  • Prof. Sandeep Patil — Convener, MicrobioModel
  • Dr. Suchita Bharambe — Convener, MicrobioTalk
  • Mrs. Sangeeta Jangam — Convener, MicrobioStreetPlay

I am also deeply grateful to co-founder Shri. Nilesh Vadnere for his efforts to grow the event's popularity among colleges in the Mumbai region; to the world-renowned scientist Dr. Yogesh Shouche for his valuable cooperation and encouragement; to Prof. Dr. A. M. Deshmukh, Founder of the Microbiologist Society; to Principal Dr. D. R. Patil, who encouraged me and helped me wholeheartedly; and to my friends Prof. Ajay Kumar Jadhav, Prof. Manohar Padul, and Prof. Ketan Narkhede.

The road beyond the Silver Jubilee

Twenty-five years is an important milestone, but it is not the final goal. When I look back at the first microbiological contest of 2001 and compare it with the MicrobiOlympiad of 2026, I see not merely the growth of one event, but the development of an idea.

  • The idea that students should have an opportunity beyond the exam.
  • The idea that collaboration can coexist with competition.
  • The idea that science can be both intellectual and creative.
  • The idea that microbiology can be expressed through quizzes, canvas, podiums, models, words, digital platforms, conversations, and street plays.
  • And, most importantly, that a small activity, continued with loyalty, can touch thousands of young minds.

That is why this article, written on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee year, is not merely a collection of memories. It is a 25-year history of a shared devotion — among people, institutions, students, friendships, ideas, and microbiology. To the students who participated wholeheartedly, the teachers who encouraged them, the coordinators who worked behind the scenes, the volunteers who contributed quietly, the institutions that opened their doors, and every person who believed in this dream — this Silver Jubilee edition is dedicated to all of you.

I began the MicrobiOlympiad intending to give students a platform. Twenty-five years later, I realised that it was, in truth, the students who gave me a platform — to keep learning, to dream, and to make things happen. For that, I will always be grateful to them.

Let us celebrate the past with pride, the present with joy, and the future with eager anticipation. For microbes may be invisible — but the curiosity they inspire can move generations to come.

May the team spirit the MicrobiOlympiad has nurtured remain immortal. May the curiosity of the young microbiologist stay undimmed. And may this journey continue for many decades to come.

Prof. Ulhas K. PatilFounder, MicrobiOlympiad · Silver Jubilee Edition, 2026
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