​A team of six students representing Hong Kong achieved remarkable results in the 18th International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO 2021) by winning two gold and four silver medals. These good results showed that Hong Kong students continue to excel in renowned international competitions.
The IJSO is a science competition for secondary school students aged 15 or below. The competition, covering physics, chemistry and biology up to the senior secondary level, comprises written assessments and science experiments on unfamiliar problems that require analytical and problem-solving skills. The competition was suspended last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the IJSO 2021 was hosted by the United Arab Emirates from December 12 to 21. Around 320 contestants from 70 countries or regions participated in the competition. Due to the epidemic, contestants participated in the IJSO 2021 in their own country or region under online monitoring, and joined online activities.
Ng Shuk-hei (St Paul's Co-educational College) and Suen Ming-to (St Paul's Co-educational College) each won a gold medal. Silver medalists were Kyan Cheung (Victoria Shanghai Academy), Choi Ho-long (Pui Ching Middle School), Mai Tai-sheuk (Queen's College) and Wong Chun-lam (G.T. (Ellen Yeung) College).
The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, congratulated the Hong Kong team today (December 21) on their excellent performance. "The impressive results of the Hong Kong team this year have demonstrated our students' tremendous potential in science and technology. The Education Bureau (EDB) will continue its support on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education to nurture technology talents and encourage them to pursue a career in innovation and scientific research," Mr Yeung said.
"To further promote the development of gifted education, the Government has so far injected $1.6 billion into the Gifted Education Fund. The Advisory Committee on Gifted Education is currently vetting applications for funding support in the 2021/22 school year. Through quality off-school advanced learning programmes, it is hoped that gifted students at the primary and secondary levels are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to embrace the rapid economic, scientific and technological developments, as well as the changes and challenges in society, thereby enhancing the versatility and international competitiveness of our talents," he added.
The Hong Kong team was fully funded by the EDB to join this competition. The members of the Hong Kong team achieved excellent results in the International Junior Science Olympiad – Hong Kong Screening last year. They subsequently completed the science enhancement programmes provided by the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education. The outstanding students in the programmes were then selected as contestants representing Hong Kong to participate in the IJSO 2021. The excellent results of the Hong Kong team will also be uploaded to the EDB e-Gallery (www.edb.gov.hk/en/e-gallery). Apart from featuring the outstanding achievements of Hong Kong students in STEM and other areas, the website also showcases their achievements in local, national and international competitions. Online exhibitions are also shown in the e-Gallery to display students' attainments in whole-person development and provide opportunities for other students and teachers to appreciate and learn from one another.
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