Press Release

(Hong Kong – 9 July 2012) International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) Preliminary Selection Contest – Hong Kong 2012 was held successfully with a large enrollment, in which 640 students were nominated from around 130 secondary schools. Over a hundred outstanding contestants will attend the nine-month training programmes in Mathematics. The students outperformed in the training will represent Hong Kong to participate and strive for glory in the 54th IMO held in Colombia next year.

IMO Preliminary Selection Contest – Hong Kong 2012 presents gold, silver and bronze awards to outperformed contestants. It aims at promoting Mathematics and identifying mathematical talents. The contestants have to finish the written test within three hours. Questions are set on the mathematical concepts within reach of senior secondary school students with an emphasis on the high order thinking skill, and problem-solving ability in geometry, algebra and arithmetic.

The success of this year’s Contest marked the excellent collaboration among the co-organisers including the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE), Education Bureau (EDB) and the International Mathematical Olympiad Hong Kong Committee (IMOHKC). To give contestants commendation for their hard work and dedication to Mathematics, a prize presentation ceremony was held with the presence of the honourable guests, including Ms Carmen Lok, Head of Public Affairs (Corporate Communications), the Hong Kong Jockey Club; Mr Wang Weimin, Division Chief of Education, Science and Technology Department, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R; Ms Katherine Hung Siu Lin, Director of Li Ka Shing Foundation Ltd.; and Dr Patrick Wu Po Kong, JP, Chairman of Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation Ltd.

Dr Stephen Tommis, Executive Director of the HKAGE delivered a speech at the ceremony. He remarked that the number of schools and students enrolled in the Contest increased 20 percent when compared with last year. 35 percent of the schools won the awards from which 10 students won the gold medals (For the number of awardees in each award category, please refer to Appendix 1). All these indicated an increase in the importance of Mathematics and interests in the IMO in education sector.

Mr Chan Pui Tin, Chief Curriculum Development Officer, Gifted Education Section, Curriculum Development Institute, EDB, encouraged students to participate in related competitions continuously so as to enhance thinking skills and cultivate creative thinking skills required in 21st century. He cited various successful mathematicians who took part in the IMO to reaffirm the positive value of the IMO and reminded students to practise more as it not only makes their skills perfect but also could help them understand the mysteries behind Mathematics.

The Gold Medalist Li Jianhui (S5) from CNEC Christian College, said he liked Mathematics because it required rigorous thinking skills to generate different solutions, which made Mathematics more “vivid” than other subjects. He is keen on reading books of Mathematics in university level. He said the award encouraged him to further study Mathematics and he hoped to represent Hong Kong to participate in the IMO next year after the training.

Another Gold Medalist Tung Kam Chuen (S3) from La Salle College, said he learned the problem solving skills and raised his interest in Mathematics via taking part in the Contest. He has participated in various Mathematical competitions and planned to study Mathematics-related subjects in the future.

Flag Presentation to Hong Kong Team of IMO 2012

The outstanding students who represented Hong Kong in Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad (APMO) 2012 and won one gold award, two silver awards, four bronze awards and three honourable mentions were given merits at the ceremony. Moreover, a flag presentation was arranged to cheer up Hong Kong Team who would participate in the 53rd IMO in Argentina in July.

Hong Kong Team has received 90-hour training programs provided by the HKAGE and the IMOHKC. The Hong Kong Jockey Club sponsored and presented the scholarships by its representative, Ms Carmen Lok, to Hong Kong Team members for their endeavours to prepare the Olympiad. To nurture talents, EDB sponsors Hong Kong Team for their trip to the IMO and the Fung Hon Chu Gifted Education Centre provides scholarships for members who are awarded in the IMO.

Professor Shum Kar Ping, Chairman of the IMOHKC, advised Hong Kong Team and students to stay calm during competitions. He encouraged students not to give up in the face of difficulties. To maintain a sense of competitiveness was very important as our life was like a long-term competition. He also hoped that Mathematics can be passed along from generation to generation in Hong Kong and more and more young Mathematicians were nurtured in the future.

Hong Kong Team members are also the student members of the HKAGE. They are Chow Chi Hong (S7) from The Bishop Hall Jubilee School, Kung Man Kit (S6) from S.K.H. Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School, Lau Chun Ting (S3) from St. Paul’s Co-educational College, Li Yau Wing (S6) from Ying Wa College, Loo Andy (S6) from St. Paul’s Co-educational College and Wong Sze Nga (S4) from Diocesan Girls’ School who has been the first female team-mate since 2002.

Li Yau Wing and Chow Chi Hong were awarded a gold medal and a bronze medal respectively in last year’s IMO. They also won a silver award and a gold award in APMO 2012 respectively. Other members have certain experience in participating in international competitions including winning silver awards, bronze awards and honourable mentions in APMO 2012.

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. EDB will fully sponsor the whole Hong Kong Team for their trip to the 53rd IMO in Argentina.

Appendix 1

Number of Awardees per Award Category in IMO Preliminary Selection Contest – Hong Kong 2012:

Some of the Gold Award winners of the IMO Preliminary Selection Contest – Hong Kong 2012 received the commendation from Mr Wang Weimin.

The guests cheered up Hong Kong Team who would take part in the forthcoming IMO.

Ms Carmen Lok (4th from left) presented the certificates and scholarships to the IMO 2012 Hong Kong Team.