From 10 to 18 July, 400 contestants from 85 countries and regions converged on Bangkok for the annual International Physics Olympiad for secondary students. The Hong Kong team was coached by HKUST Physics professors: Prof Wong Kwok-yee (leader), Prof Du Shengwang (deputy leader), Prof Yang Zhi-yu plus postgraduate student Ma Guang-cong. Prof Wong and Prof Du took the team to Bangkok.

The five-member team was selected from senior forms at DBS, CNEC Christian College, SKH Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School and Shun Tak Fraternal Association Leung Kau Kui College and St Paul Co-ed. For one year, these students received Bachelor-level training in Physics and different practical techniques under HKUST's Physics Enhancement Program. The training was intensive and the competition was intense. But when the judges delivered their final verdict, the Hong Kong team was the winner of 3 golds and 2 silvers, on the basis of their tested theoretical and practical knowledge. This was Hong Kong's best ever performance in similar international contests.

HKUST's involvement in this International Physics Olympiad is part of our efforts to identify and train students who show early promise and positive mentality towards physics. Just the sort of community engagement that will discover and develop the elite talents Hong Kong needs for its strategic development.