A team of pre-college students from Macao, led by Dr Leong Ieng Tak and Mr Wan Lung Yam from the University of Macau (UM), Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Mathematics, won a gold medal and a silver medal at the 57th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held in Hong Kong. This is the first time in 25 years that a team from Macao has won a gold medal at this competition.

This year’s competition attracted 602 pre-college students from around the world. The Macao team was composed of six students selected from an earlier local competition, namely Chau Hou Tin, Tang Cho Hou, Lai Wai Neng, Ngai Ho Ieng, and Iam Hoi Cheong from Pui Ching Middle School Macau, as well as Tam Hou from Hou Kong Middle School (Macao). Dr Leong and Mr Wan conducted a month-long special training for the participating students. Dr Leong also invited the Portuguese team to Macao for three day training before the competition. In the end, students Chau Hou Tin and Tang Cho Hou won a gold medal and a silver medal respectively. The other four students won Honourable Mention.

UM’s Department of Mathematics always attaches great importance to developing students’ mathematical skills. The department has provided various kinds of mathematical training for local students, which has resulted in numerous awards at international competitions. Over the past twenty years, Dr Leong has been providing regular training classes for local pre-college students through collaboration with Pui Ching Middle School and other local schools in Macao.

Dr Leong currently serves on the editorial board of Zhong Deng Shu Xue (Journal of High-School Mathematics). He was a member of the China Mathematical Olympiad Committee from 2008 to 2011. Students trained by Dr Leong have achieved impressive results at various mathematics competitions both at national and international levels. For instance, under his guidance, Chau Hou Tin won the Highest Score Award at the China Western Mathematical Olympiad held last year, as well as the first prize at the China Mathematical Olympiad organised by the Chinese Mathematical Society, two years in a row.

Launched in 1959, the International Mathematical Olympiad is the oldest and largest mathematics competition in the world. Held annually in a different country, the competition aims to provide a platform for young students to showcase their talents in mathematics. It is hailed as a ‘cradle of future mathematicians’. Many participants in international mathematical competitions such as the IMO have gone on to become leading mathematicians.