Five Hong Kong secondary students trained by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) achieved brilliant results at the 41st International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) in Croatia, amassing one gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Among the students is a secondary four student, the youngest contestant ever representing Hong Kong in the IPhO.

 

The Hong Kong Team, led by HKUST Physics faculty Prof Chen Tian-wen and Prof Du Sheng-wang, returned to Hong Kong today with great honor. The five team members were selected from among the best achievers in the Hong Kong Physics Olympiad 2009, to receive a series of enhancement training courses offered by the HKUST.

 

Members of the Hong Kong Team and their medals are as follows:

 

Name	Level	School	Medal
Jonathan Ma Han-son	S6	Sing Yin Secondary School	Gold
Andy Loo	S4	St. Paul’s Co-educational College	Silver
Tsang Hok-kan	S6	Shun Tak Fraternal Association  Leung Kau Kui College	Bronze
Laurence Leung Yik-lok	S6	King’s College	Bronze
Tang Wai-ho	S6	Baptist Wing Lung Secondary  School	Bronze

 

This is the seventh year since 2004 that HKUST was appointed by The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) to provide training for Hong Kong students selected for the IPhO.

 

“The performance of the Hong Kong team this year is very encouraging. It is rare that a secondary four student is selected to represent Hong Kong in this important event and we are delighted that he even received a medal. HKUST will continue to nurture brilliant students with great potential,” said Prof Chen Tian-wen of HKUST, leader of the Hong Kong team this year.

 

The IPhO this year was held from 17 to 25 July in Croatia, with about 400 contestants from 82 countries/regions participating. The brilliant achievement this year represents the fruitful co-operation among the Education Bureau, the HKAGE and the HKUST.