RI triumph at Int'l Physics Olympiad
RI triumph at Int'l Physics Olympiad
Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali
The Indonesian team of students won three gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal at the 33rd International Physics Olympiad, which ended on Monday in Nusa Dua resort complex.
The three gold medals were awarded to Agustinus Peter Sahanggamu of state SMU 78 high school in Jakarta (41.20 points), Widagdo Setiawan of state SMU I high school in Denpasar, Bali (40.95) and Fajar Ardian of SMU Insan Cendekia high school in Serpong, Tangerang (36.60). The silver medal went to Christopher Hendriks of SMU Pelita Harapan in Tangerang and Evelyn Mintarno of SMU BPK Penabur 1 in Jakarta received the bronze medal.
"I am very proud that the Indonesian students grabbed five medals. This is the highest achievement which has ever been accomplished by Indonesia in an international physics competition so far," confirmed Yohanes Surya, chairman of the Indonesian team.
The Physics Olympiad, which started on July 22, involved around 300 high school students from 70 countries including Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Poland, Iceland, Russia, Slovenia, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Iran, Canada, Australia, People's Republic of China, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Turkey, India and Saudi Arabia.
Triyanta, chairman of the organizing committee, said the Olympiad comprised two competitions on theory and experiment. The international jurors combined the total points of both categories.
"Iran, Russia and China have been strong teams since the last few years," he admitted.
Ngoc Duong Dang from the war-torn Vietnam surprisingly got the highest points of 45.40. Iran, however, was shockingly declared top medal tally, winning five gold medals. The People's Republic of China came in second place with four gold medals. India, renowned for its bright students and thriving science education, received only one gold medal.
Dr. Piyapong Sithikong, team leader from Thailand, expressed his satisfaction when his team gained one gold medal. "It is our first gold medal since we first took part in the Physics Olympiad," said Piyapong, an assistant professor at the Department of Physics, Mahidol University in Bangkok.
Thailand will host the 4th Asian Physics Olympiad in 2003.