Successful organisation of International Science Olympiads affirms Vietnam’s prestigious status

The 46th annual International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO46) has come to a successful end in Hanoi on its debut in Vietnam, earning a lot of fine sentiments from participating delegations. Combined with the successful organisation of the 2007 International Mathematical Olympiad and 2008 International Physics Olympiad, the success of IChO46 has continued to affirm Vietnam’s increasing status in hosting International Science Olympiads (ISO).

  The Vietnam IChO46 delegation (Credit: tienphong.vn)

Sharing his feelings about IChO46, Chairman of the IChO Steering Committee, Prof. Peter Wothers said that he was extremely impressed with what he witnessed and experienced during the eight-day contest in Vietnam. He praised the host nation’s efforts to organise the contest in accordance with its slogan entitled ‘Chemistry – Flavour of Life’. International teachers, students and officials had a chance to taste the ‘flavour of chemistry’ which left them with an unforgettable image of Vietnam. Interestingly enough, the chemical of this year’s competition was Artemisinin – the most successful chemical used to treat malaria, Prof. Wothers said, adding that the substance was included both in theoretical and practical tests. Many people could possibly forget about the importance of this contest, but millions throughout the world will never forget the good things the contest has brought about, he affirmed.

Addressing a July 29 congratulatory ceremony for the contest’s success, head of Vietnam’s IChO46 delegation, Nguyen Quoc Chinh said that this year’s examination questions were highly appreciated by participating countries and that IChO46 2014 was considered the most successful holding of the event in terms of scale, professional quality and organisational procedures.

Prof. Dr. Bui Duy Cam, who headed the IChO46 2014 Organising Board, reiterated the successful conclusion of the 2014 event, which, he said, took place in fine weather, won the sentiments of international friends and carved into their hearts a beautiful impression of Vietnam and its friendly people.

Vietnam’s IChO46 students performed excellently and brought home two gold and two silver medals, putting the host nation among the top five performers out of 77 participating countries and territories. One of the two Vietnamese gold medallists, Pham Mai Phuong from the Hanoi – Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, expressed her extreme happiness and pride at being among the top three scorers at IChO46, saying that the gold medal both inspired her and enabled her to further her studies and career development. Phuong has registered for the Honours Class at the Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam National University to continue pursuing her chemistry dream.

Vietnam’s second gold medal went to Pham Ngan Giang, who is also from the Hanoi – Amsterdam High School for the Gifted. Giang said that she had felt confident about her examination performance and that she and teammates had tapped fully into Vietnam’s strengths in theoretical tests. Giang, whose mother is a doctor, has registered to study at the Hanoi Medical University. In her opinion, the medical practice is a noble one which can help other people. Giang’s mother Nguyen Phuong Hoa said she was very proud of her daughter, adding that Giang has always tried her best to achieve every envisaged goal, both in study and in life.

At the July 29 ceremony, Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) congratulated the Vietnam IChO46 delegation for their noteworthy results and presented certificates of merit to four prize winners and 52 individuals with significant contribution to the organisation of the contest. MoET Deputy Minister Nguyen Vinh Hien warmly praised the medallists, saying that their fruitful performances contributed to enriching Vietnam’s combined success in the ISO arena. He also urged the fabulous students to continue doing their utmost to overcome challenges and become talented scientists in the near future, devoted to the cause of national construction and defence.

Nhan Dan

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