Five Taiwanese students claimed gold medals in this year’s International Physics Olympiad that ended yesterday in Kazakhstan, landing Taiwan the second spot in terms of overall performance.
The nation’s team comprised Taipei Municipal Jianguo High School students Chang Chuan-han (張巏瀚), Chen Chi-fang (陳麒方) and Chen Chih-wei (陳致維); National Hualien Senior High School student Sung Ya-lun (宋亞倫); and Lin Ting-chun (林鼎鈞) from Taichung Municipal Hui-wen High School.
The medalists were named shortly after the results of this year’s International Olympiad in Informatics were announced on Sunday, in which Taiwan won one gold and three silver medals.
The Ministry of Education said that of the five students, Chang has the best world ranking — No. 5 — at the international contest thanks in part to his win in the “best theory” category at the Physics Olympiad.
Chang’s father, Chang Teng-ke (張登科), said his son does not have a preference when it comes to the acquisition of knowledge; however, physics is where he has always excelled.
Even though he did not make it to the final stage when he first participated in the Olympiad two years ago, the experience ignited Chang Chuan-han’s interest in physics, Chang Teng-ke said.
Sung’s mother, Lin Joe-yi (林柔伊), said her son has demonstrated a natural aptitude for numbers since he was very young. An accelerated student, Sung was introduced to eighth-grade mathematics two years ahead of his peers, she said, adding that he has never been to cram schools.
Lin said that while others adhered to a traditional math curriculum, Sung focused on applied math, which really helped to prime him for the study of physics. Moreover, his passion for the subject motivated him to read physics journals, where he has gained a considerable amount of knowledge, she said.
When asked if she had a word of advice for Taiwanese high-school students, Lin suggested that they emphasize mathematics study, as it is the foundation of all science.
Chinese spouse and influencer Guan Guan’s (關關) residency permit has been revoked for repeatedly posting pro-China videos that threaten national security, the National Immigration Agency confirmed today. Guan Guan has said many controversial statements in her videos posted to Douyin (抖音), including “the red flag will soon be painted all over Taiwan” and “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China,” and expressing hope for expedited reunification. The agency last year received multiple reports alleging that Guan Guan had advocated for armed reunification. After verifying the reports, the agency last month issued a notice requiring her to appear and explain her actions. Guan
GIVE AND TAKE: Blood demand continues to rise each year, while fewer young donors are available due to the nation’s falling birthrate, a doctor said Blood donors can redeem points earned from donations to obtain limited edition Formosan black bear travel mugs, the Kaohsiung Blood Center said yesterday, as it announced a goal of stocking 20,000 units of blood prior to the Lunar New Year. The last month of the lunar year is National Blood Donation Month, when local centers seek to stockpile blood for use during the Lunar New Year holiday. The blood demand in southern Taiwan — including Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Taitung counties — is about 2,000 units per day, the center said. The donation campaign aims to boost
The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau audited six hotels in an effort to prevent price gouging ahead of Korean band BTS’ concert tour in the city scheduled for Nov. 19, 21 and 22 this year. The bureau on Friday said that the audits — conducted in response to allegations of unfair pricing posted on social media — found no wrongdoing. These establishments included the local branches of Chateau de Chine, Hotel Nikko, My Humble House, and Grand Hai Lai, it said, adding that the Consumer Protection Commission would have penalized price gougers had the accusations been substantiated. The bureau said the Tourism Development Act
BACK TO WINTER: A strong continental cold air mass would move south on Tuesday next week, bringing colder temperatures to northern and central Taiwan A tropical depression east of the Philippines could soon be upgraded to be the first tropical storm of this year, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, adding that the next cold air mass is forecast to arrive on Monday next week. CWA forecaster Cheng Jie-ren (鄭傑仁) said the first tropical depression of this year is over waters east of the Philippines, about 1,867km southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), and could strengthen into Tropical Storm Nokaen by early today. The system is moving slowly from northwest to north, and is expected to remain east of the Philippines with little chance of affecting Taiwan,
RSS