HK triumphs in International Physics Olympiad 2012 (with photo)
*********************************************************

     Five secondary students representing Hong Kong at the 43rd International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) in Estonia proudly returned home today (July 25) with two gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal.

     A spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) said, "This is the ninth year that Hong Kong students have participated in this Olympiad since 2004, and this year's team is the seventh to win gold."

     The gold medallists are Secondary Five student Lam Ho-tat of Pui Shing Catholic Secondary School and Secondary Six student Fung Tsz-chai of Po Leung Kuk Centenary Li Shiu Chung Memorial College. The silver medallists are Secondary Six student Chan Cheuk-lun of La Salle College and Lai Kwun-hang of Shatin Pui Ying College. The bronze medallist is Secondary Six student Lo Hei-chun of Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) College. They are all student members of the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE).

     The spokesman said, "The good results this year mark the success of co-operation among the HKAGE, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the EDB.

     "With outstanding performance in the Hong Kong Physics Olympiad 2011, the students were selected to take part in a series of enhancement courses commissioned to HKUST by the HKAGE before participating in the IPhO 2012. The delegates' trip was funded by the EDB."

     The IPhO this year was held from July 15 to 24 in Tallinn, Estonia, with 378 contestants from 81 countries and regions participating. The event is aimed at promoting education in physics, strengthening interaction and co-operation among experts in physics worldwide and training and inspiring teenagers who have academic potential in physics.

     The leader of the Hong Kong Team was Professor Michael Wong of HKUST, and the deputy leader was Mr Dik Wai-yin, a physics teacher at Law Ting Pong Secondary School. Dr Ng Shiu-cho, a physics teacher at Fukien Secondary School, and Dr Sun Ke, a research associate at HKUST, served as the observers.

Ends/Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:28

NNNN