Team wins bronze medals in math olympiad

(From left) Li Xuan, Tristan, Muhammad Hafizudeen, Sean, Ivan, Zi Siong and IMO programme facilitatorMihai Cristian after using their mathematical prowess at the olympiad.

TEAM Malaysia won two bronze medals and three honourable mentions at the 59th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held in Cluj, Romania.

The members of the Malaysian delegation comprised A-Levels student Ivan Chan Kai Chin, 19. from INTI College; Sean Gee Zhing, 19, from Malacca High School; Muhammad Hafizudeen Mohamad Saman, 18, from Taylor’s University; Yeoh Zi Siong, 17, from SMJK Chung Ling; Tan Li Xuan, 16, from SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (3); and Tristan Chang, 15, from Kuen Cheng High School.

The members of the 2018 Malaysian contingent were selected through a rigorous, nation-wide competition with more than 10,000 taking part.

ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc. (EMEPMI) congratulated the Malaysian team for its outstanding performance at the olympiad.

This is part of its commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives in Malaysia.

EMEPMI supported the Malaysian contingent at the international competition with a RM120,000 contribution.

EMEPMI has been supporting the training and preparation of the Malaysian IMO team since 2010, with a cumulative contribution of over RM1mil to date.

The IMO is a by-invitation only international programme.

It brings together the most talented pre-college students from more than 100 countries around the world to solve challenging mathematical problems in a friendly competition.

The competition takes place on two consecutive days, where participants must individually complete an examination paper comprising three problems each day.

Seven points are given for each problem solved.

Winners receive gold, silver and bronze medals, awarded in the ratio of 1:2:3 according to the overall results – with half of all participants taking home a medal.

To encourage as many students as possible to solve and complete problems, certificates of honourable mentions are awarded to students who did not receive a medal but scored the full seven points for at least one problem.

Malaysia first took part in the IMO in 1995, and to date, has sent a total of 23 participants since.

The Malaysian team has accumulated three gold medals, 11 silver, 21 bronze and 29 honourable mentions over its 23-year involvement with the IMO.