Five exceptional secondary school students from Hong Kong achieved remarkable results at the 53rd International Physics Olympiad (IPhO 2023) held in Tokyo, Japan from 10-17 July 2023. Competing among 394 students from 82 countries or regions, the Hong Kong team, consisting of LAM Chung-Wang (St. Paul’s Co-educational College), HUI Pok Shing (Queen Elizabeth School), KWOK Ching Yeung (S.K.H. Tang Shiu Kin Secondary School), LIU Lincoln (Sha Tin College), and KWOK Tsz Yin (CNEC Christian College), won one gold medal, three silver medals, and one bronze medal. With this outstanding performance, the Hong Kong team was ranked 9th among all teams at the competition. The top ten performance of the team this year and of Hong Kong teams in previous years highlights the passion of local academic talents and the dedication of their mentors. The team was trained and mentored this year by Prof. Jensen Li, Dr. Man Fung Cheung, and Dr. Ting Pong Choy of the HKUST Department of Physics, with the support of the Education Bureau and the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education.
The HKUST Department of Physics has been providing training to about 90 secondary school students to prepare for the International Physics Olympiad since 2003 and the Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO) since 2007. The year-long training program offered to these gifted students covers a wide range of topics, from Newtonian mechanics to modern physics, both in theory and experiment. The team members that eventually participate in the IPhO and APhO competitions are chosen based on their performance in a series of selection tests and competitions during their training. The Hong Kong teams under the mentorship of the Department faculty were awarded an aggregate of 142 gold, silver and bronze medals in APhO and IPhO competitions up to and including 2023. Participation in Physics Olympics training and competition develops students’ potential and serves as a springboard for pursuing interests in physics and many other subjects at top universities and beyond.
Accompanying photo (left to right): Dr. Man Fung Cheung (HKUST), Dr. Ting Pong Choy (HKUST), KWOK Ching Yeung, HUI Pok Shing, LAM Chung Wang, LIU Lincoln, KWOK Tsz Yin, and Mr. Chun Keung Ng (physics teacher at Kwai Chung Methodist College).
