A student from QAT Blended Learning Education ME in Abu Dhabi has earned a place on the four-member Philippine team that will compete at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan this August.
John Lorenz Nunez, a QAT academic full scholar, was among the four programmers selected to represent the country at the world’s most prestigious computer science competition for secondary school students. He qualified alongside Prince Desmond Dela Cruz of De La Salle University-Taft, EdRonn James Panti of Philippine Science High School-Main, and Jerome Austin Te of Jubilee Christian Academy.
The school announced the selection on its official Facebook page on June 1, calling Nunez an “outstanding learner” and crediting his dedication and passion for the achievement. “From the classroom to the global stage, you continue to prove that excellence knows no limits,” the school wrote, pledging its support as he represents the Philippines abroad.
QAT Blended Learning Education ME is an Abu Dhabi-based school that delivers a hybrid model of face-to-face and online instruction following the Philippine Department of Education curriculum, serving learners of all nationalities and offering specialized programs in Special Education. The school positions its standard of education as advanced and specialized. It has previously gained attention in the Filipino community for its students’ performance in academic competitions, including the World Scholar’s Cup.
“John Lorenz earned this. He’s been the kind of student who chases the hard problems instead of avoiding them, and that’s exactly what it takes to make this team. We’re proud, and we’ll be watching every round in Tashkent,” said Chancellor Dr. Engr. Lilac H. Schonberg.
As a school that backs talent like Nunez’s, QAT continues to offer student scholarships, with applications still open. The school also provides a humanitarian scholarship for students who excel academically but lack the means to pursue their education.
Nunez’s selection follows a strong showing earlier in the qualifying cycle. He received an Honorable Mention at the National Olympiad in Informatics-Philippines (NOI.PH), the country’s premier programming competition for high school students and the official qualifier for the IOI, held at Ateneo de Manila University in March 2025.
The 38th IOI runs from August 9 to 16, 2026, in Tashkent, with organizers expecting roughly 400 students from about 100 countries. The contest spans two days of five-hour programming sessions, where competitors tackle complex algorithmic problems on an individual basis. It is one of five recognized international science olympiads, with UNESCO and the International Federation for Information Processing among its patrons.
