Press Release

(Hong Kong – 10 August 2016) The Lunch Reception for Honourable Trainers, Leaders and Medallists in International Competitions (Gifted Education) was successfully hosted by The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) today at the Royal Park Hotel. Eleven outstanding trainers who have been nurturing and inspiring local gifted students for years were awarded for their contributions.

The Hong Kong students who excel in science and mathematics have triumphed in international science and mathematics competitions for many years. Last year, the Hong Kong team achieved outstanding performance and won 1 gold medal and 5 silver medals in the International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO). This year, the Hong Kong teams obtained prominent results with a gold medal, 3 silver medals and a bronze medal in the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) and 3 gold medals, 2 silver medals and a bronze medal in the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO). Furthermore, the Hong Kong team was ranked among the top 10 in the IMO for the first time.

The continued success in international competitions would not have been possible without the support of excellent trainers who have prepared and led them for the competitive events. Since its establishment in 2008, the HKAGE has been participating in the selection and training of Hong Kong student representatives. The Academy works with local universities, the Hong Kong Physics Olympiad (HKPhO) Committee, International Mathematical Olympiad Hong Kong (IMOHK) Committee and International Junior Science Olympiad Hong Kong (IJSOHK) Committee, etc., to provide a series of training programmes to the students who excel in science and mathematics, and prepare them to represent Hong Kong in major international competitions. The HKAGE also provides the Hong Kong team members with affective education training before the competitions to enhance their self-understanding and communication skills.

To honour the instructors and trainers of the Hong Kong teams, the HKAGE presented 5 Service Awards and 9 Outstanding Trainer’s Awards to them for their long-standing contribution and outstanding performance on nurturing local talents in science and mathematics. The members of the HKPhO Committee, IMOHK Committee and IJSOHK Committee as well as the Hong Kong representatives in the 2015 - 2016 competitions also attended the Lunch Reception and shared the joy of the awardees.

Dr Chan Ka Ki, Catherine, Board member of the HKAGE, Deputy Secretary for Education of the Education Bureau, congratulated the awardees during the award presentation ceremony and commended them for their continued contributions on gifted education. She also thanked them for their efforts on nurturing talents for Hong Kong. Dr Chan stated that the performance of the Hong Kong teams had shown that they were trained in good hands as they often obtained tremendous results in international competitions.

Mr Lau Kwok Leung, Gyver, Chairman of the IJSOHK Steering Committee and one of the awardees of the Service Award, pointed out that the participating students of the IJSOHK were relatively young when compared with contestants of other international olympiads; trainings on their psychological quality were therefore particularly significant in this regard, “The similarities between an academic olympiad and the Olympic Games is the spirit of perseverance among the contestants, and their passion for the contest. They must undergo high-quality trainings over a long period of time, and this would be a memorable and once-in-a-lifetime experience for the participating students.

Prof Kwok Yee Michael Wong, Chairman of the HKPhO, was awarded both the Service Award and the Outstanding Trainer’s Award. He was glad to see that the government was promoting STEM Education proactively, “Apart from providing the participating students with general trainings, we could reach out for students with potential in Science and Mathematics, and it would help to develop Hong Kong into the hub of gifted education.” Prof Wong hoped that the government, the society and parents would give more support for STEM Education.

The Outstanding Trainer’s Awards were presented to the trainers of award-winning teams in international competitions. The awardees were nominated by the Hong Kong committees of international Olympiads. The Service Awards were presented to the trainers who hold key positions (e.g., chairmen, deputy chairmen or leaders) in the Hong Kong committees of international Olympiads and have served for extended periods of time (e.g., 5, 10 or 15 years).

Please refer to the Appendix for the List of Awardees of the Service Award and Outstanding Trainer’s Award.

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The HKAGE awarded outstanding trainers of international competitions for their contributions. The Hong Kong teams (front row) were also present to share their joy.	Dr Chan Ka Ki, Catherine, Board member of the HKAGE, congratulated the awardees and expressed gratitude to them for nurturing gifted students in Hong Kong.
Mr Lau Kwok Leung, Gyver, Board member of the HKAGE, had a photo with the awardees of the Outstanding Trainer’s Award. (From left to right: Prof Yang Zhi Yu, Dr Cheung Yu San, Prof Kwok Yee Michael Wong, Dr Leung Tat Wing, Mr Lau Kwok Leung, Gyver, Dr Mak Kin Wah, Kendrew, Ms Chiu Shui Fan, Dr Chan Mau Hing and Dr Chung Kwok Cheong.)	Mr Lam Yun Fu, Frederick, Chairman of the Board of the HKAGE, presented the trophies to the awardees of the Service Award. (From left to right: Prof Kwok Yee Michael Wong, Dr Leung Tat Wing, Mr Lam Yun Fu, Frederick, Mr Lau Kwok Leung, Gyver and Dr Yang Zhi Yu.)

Appendix: List of Awardees of the Service Award and Outstanding Trainer’s Award 

Service Award

Outstanding Trainer’s Award