Thai whiz kids have scored one gold medal and five silvers at the 2010 International Mathematical Olympiad in Kazakhstan. Overall, the Thai team was ranked fifth in this international competition of outstanding high-school students from 93 countries.
It opened on July 2.
Dr Pornpun Waitayangkoon, director of the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST), said yesterday that the Thai gold medallist was Nipun Pitimana-aree from Srinakharinwirot University's Patumwan Demonstration School.
Thanat Kurutach, Pongpak Pumiwat, Pakawut Jiradilok, and Supachai Khamteu from Triam Udom Suksa School each won a silver medal. The other silver went to Wijit Youngjit from the Mahidol Wittayanusorn School.
Several university lecturers accompanied the whiz kids to Kazakhstan as their trainers.
"I have had great interest in maths since I was a primary student. To me, mathematical knowledge is the foundation for many other subjects like physics, computer and chemistry," said Nipun, who is a Mathayom 4 student.
Nipun said the Academic Olympiads had inspired him to pursue his interest seriously and he had joined the IPST math and science training projects while a Pathom 6 student.
Pongpak pointed out that mathematical knowledge helped in daily life too, such as time management and money calculation.
"Academic competitions have bolstered my analytical thinking and information reorganisation skills," he said.
Pakawut said that if possible, he would like to become a maths teacher for Academic Olympiads.
Teaching was also a dream profession for Supanat. However, he said he was also interested in becoming a researcher.
"Maths are the basis for various applied science disciplines," he said.
Thanat said his father had inculcated in him the love for mathematics and had always encouraged him to join academic competitions.
"To prepare myself for the 2010 International Mathematical Olympiad, I joined the IPST camp for two months. I also browse the Internet to practise tackling math questions," he said.
Wijit said he was fascinated with inequality in mathematics. "Whenever I have free time, I work on it," this whiz kid said.
The Thai kids will return home on Flight KC 931 this Friday, scheduled to arrive at Suvar-na-bhumi Airport at 4.30pm, when a welcoming ceremony will greet them.
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