Five talented secondary school students from Hong Kong had outstanding results at the 8th European Physics Olympiad (EuPhO 2024) held in Kutaisi, Georgia from 15-19 July 2024 and hosted by the Kutaisi International University. The Hong Kong EuPhO team members were Hayden Cheng (Baptist Lui Ming Choi Secondary School), Edison Fu (Queen's College), Hui Pok-shing (Queen Elizabeth School), Qiao Lok-hei (St. Paul's Co-educational College), and Yeung Yeung (St. Mark's School). Competing among 256 students from 54 countries and regions, the team members won four gold medals (Cheng, Fu, Qiao, Yeung) and one silver medal (Hui). With these outstanding individual performances, the team ranked 2nd among all the teams at the competition. The team was trained and mentored this year by Prof. Man Fung Cheung, Prof. Yilong Han, 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 various regional (Asian, European, Pan-Pearl River Delta) Physics Olympiad competitions and the global International Physics Olympiad dating back to 2003. 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 students who are eventually chosen to represent Hong Kong at competitions earn their selection based on their performance in a series of selection tests and competitions during their training. Participation in Physics Olympiad training and at formal competitions 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. Ting Pong Choy (HKUST), Edison Fu (Queen's College), Yeung Yeung (St. Mark's School), Qiao Lok-hei (St. Paul's Co-educational College), Hui Pok-shing (Queen Elizabeth School), Hayden Cheng (Baptist Lui Ming Choi Secondary School), Prof. Yilong Han (HKUST), Mr. Cheung Shi (Sing Yin Secondary School).
Press release:
The Government of the HKSAR press release (Chinese)
The Government of the HKSAR press release (English)
