《TAIPEI TIMES》 Taiwan takes gold at Physics Olympiad

Taiwanese students who took part in the 56th International Physics Olympiad pose for a photograph with their teachers and the Republic of China flag in Columbia yesterday. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Education via CNA

By Rachel Lin and Esme Yeh / Staff reporters Taiwan tied for first with five golds at the 56th International Physics Olympiad （IPhO） held in Columbia this year, showcasing high school physics prowess.

The team, led by National Taiwan Normal University physics professor Chen Chuan-Ren （陳傳仁）, was represented by five students, who were chosen from 2,361 students nationwide via multiple selections to receive pre-competition training.

Competing with 381 participants from 91 countries, all five students won a gold medal for Taiwan.

Other countries earning five golds included China, India, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Russia.

One of the five Taiwanese, Chien Kuo High School （CKHS） student Wu Ssu-chien （吳思謙） said he has enjoyed studying math and physics since he was young.

He had experienced setbacks in previous IPhO selections, but continued to work hard to make the selection this year.

CKHS student Kuo Chen-jui （郭宸璿） had also suffered failure in previous selections, but continued to strive to earn recognition for Taiwan this year.

Wu-Ling Senior High School student Chiu Po-wei （邱柏瑋） was inspired by his father, a science teacher, to embark on projects for physics competitions.

Chiu did not receive Olympiad-oriented training until high school and developed his experiment capabilities by participating in the Taiwan Young-Student Physicists’ Tournament.

Liu Chien-yi （劉前奕）, student of the National Experimental High School at Hsinchu Science Park, became interested in physics after he was exposed to science and math videos in childhood.

Liu began to join physics competitions after he entered high school and said he aims to read more untranslated textbooks in math and physics after the IPhO competition.

Tainan First Senior High School Hung Ching-cheng （洪靖承） won gold medals in the International Junior Science Olympiad and won a silver medal in last year’s Asian Physics Olympiad before his participation at this year’s IPhO.

The Ministry of Education yesterday said students who win a gold, silver or bronze medal can enjoy guaranteed admission or admission on recommendation to universities, with gold medalists being awarded a scholarship of NT$200,000.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES