Press Release

(Hong Kong – 27 July 2012) A team of six student members of the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) representing Hong Kong at the 53rd International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Argentina finished the contest with a flourish, winning three silver medals, one bronze medal and two honourable mentions for Hong Kong.

The Silver Medalists are Secondary Six student Li Yau Wing from Ying Wa College, Secondary Six student Loo Andy from St. Paul’s Co-educational College and Secondary Seven student Chow Chi Hong from The Bishop Hall Jubilee School. The Bronze Medalist is Secondary Four student Wong Sze Nga from Diocesan Girls’ School. She has been the first female team-mate since 2002. Secondary Six student Kung Man Kit from S.K.H. Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School and Secondary Three student Lau Chun Ting from St. Paul’s Co-educational College are awarded Honourable Mentions.

The HKAGE and Education Bureau (EDB) jointly organised a toasting ceremony today to commend the Hong Kong Team for their hard work and achievements, as well as expressing gratitude to team leaders, trainers and people contributing to success of the Hong Kong Team. Dr Stephen Tommis, Executive Director of the HKAGE, Mr Chan Pui Tin, Chief Curriculum Development Officer, Gifted Education Section, Curriculum Development Institute, EDB, and Professor Shum Kar Ping, Chairman of International Mathematical Olympiad Hong Kong Committee (IMOHKC), delivered complimentary speeches at the ceremony to encourage the Hong Kong Team.

Dr Stephen Tommis praised the Hong Kong Team for their sustained high level of performance in the IMO. Although some of the members participated in the contest for the first time, they still managed to win awards. The hard work of the whole team was greatly appreciated. He encouraged the Hong Kong Team to keep their interest in Mathematics and participate in various learning activities so as to widen their horizons and develop their full potential.

Silver Medalist Andy said the contest had not only brought him a silver medal, but also more invaluable treasures – meeting old friends and making new ones at the same time. “This was my last Olympiad in my secondary school life, but I have no doubt that my passion for mathematics and science will be lifelong.” said Andy. Over the course of preparing for the Olympiad, he saw a marked improvement in his problem-solving ability. The contest reminded him of the importance of calmness and perseverance in the face of obstacles, “When tackling Problem 2 on Day 1, I got stuck in the wrong direction for more than one hour, but I did not give up. My undeterred effort eventually led to a sudden revelation which brought me back to the right track.”

The female team member Wong Sze Nga won her first Bronze Medal in her first IMO. She said while the competition was a vital part of the trip, during which she realised how capable others were, the activities after the competition were equally valuable. She wanted to thank all who made this trip an enjoyable one. She said, “It allowed me to make some great friends and learn about the culture of different countries. It was surprising to find out that my new friends and I have joined the same contests before, so we shared a lot of common lovely memories.”

The good results this year marked the excellent collaboration among the HKAGE, EDB and the IMOHKC. Students with outstanding performances in the IMO Preliminary Selection Contest – Hong Kong 2011 were selected to take part in a series of Mathematics courses organised by the HKAGE and the IMOHKC before taking part in the IMO 2012. The delegates’ trip was funded by the EDB and scholarships sponsored by the Fung Hon Chu Gifted Education Centre were granted to members who were awarded in the IMO so as to nurture talents.

The IMO this year was held from 4 to 16 July in Mar del Plata, Argentina, with more than 100 countries participated. The event aims at promoting education in Mathematics while strengthening interaction and co-operation among experts in Mathematics worldwide. Another purpose of the contest is to train and inspire teenagers who have potentials in Mathematics.

Hong Kong Team’s leader of IMO 2012 is Dr Leung Tat Wing from the IMOHKC. The deputy leader is Mr Leung Chit Wan, Vice-chairman of the IMOHKC. Observers are Professor Shum Kar Ping and Mr Leung Kwong Shing from EDB.

The Hong Kong Team participated in the 53rd IMO was (from right to left): Lau Chun Ting, Kung Man Kit, Li Yau Wing, Chow Chi Hong, Loo Andy and Wong Sze Nga

The team members enhance their knowledge of Mathematics and problem solving ability via the contest and related training programmes. They have also made new friends with similar interests