Thailand Maths Challenge
British International School, Phuket (BISP) and Rangsit University’s College of Information and Communication Technology are proud to announce the winner of the 2015-16 Thailand Maths Challenge. Yu Qing Wu from Bangkok Patana school turned in a incredibly impressive performance to claim first place. Her achievement is all the more impressive given that she is still only in Year 11 at school and was competing with students up to two years older than herself.
The finalists round was held at Rangsit University’s Sky Lounge, which was arranged by Dr Suttisak Jantavongso Associate Dean of International Affairs at the University. Students had to complete 3 rounds of problem solving questions. The focus was on a branch of mathematics called Number Theory – which requires rigorous proof and mathematical logic.
The competition was judged by organiser Andrew Chambers, and fellow judge Assitant Professor Wongsakorn Charoenpanitseri. Professor Charoenpanitseri was one of the coordinators for the World Mathematics Olympiad held last year in Thailand and so brought a great deal of experience into the judging process. Both judges remarked about how impressed they were by the high standard of mathematics on display. As Andrew Chambers remarked, “We have seen some truly remarkable young mathematicians today – and possibly some mathematical stars of the future.”
Second place was also claimed by a Bangkok Patana student, Benjada Karprasertsri, whilst third place went to Santkorn Gorsagun from Mahidol University Demonstration School. There were also good results from Anglo Singapore and Trinity International School. The top three students were all offered full and partial scholarships to study at Rangsit University at the College of ICT.
Over 200 of Thailand’s top schools were invited to participate: international schools, bilingual schools, Thai private schools, and state schools in order to find the best young mathematicians in the country. The initial round was conducted at schools where teachers will chose the students to represent them. The best students from this round were then invited to the finalists day at Rangsit University.
BISP Headmaster Neil Richards said, “I am immensely proud that the school has initiated the Thailand Maths Challenge, most particularly because of the partnership between the international and Thai communities, and the close collaboration with Rangsit University, who are to be congratulated for their foresight in offering this wonderful opportunity.
“Mathematical ability is just as relevant now as it was before the onset of the computer age, and I hope that the Thailand Maths Challenge will inspire young people to pursue mathematics at the highest possible level.”
I am proud of you students too! Keep up the great work! When I was in first grade, (the first time), i was so smart in math, that on the last day of school, that year, the Headmaster came into my classroom and personally asked me? (I can still remember his words, like it was yesterday), He said, Timmy!!!! Being that you are so damn smart and all, how would you like it, if I kept you back a year, so you can Help Out those kids who flunked?!!
Yeah!!! Twice I did that! Talk about gratitude! Shaa! I did Not get no Plaques, Awards, Certificates or nothing!! That decision has effected me for the rest of my life, until I retired in 2011…That’s right! I have had a very rich employment history, in the last 50 years, holding down approximately 240 jobs! I am NOT proud of that number, but I can definitely say this, though, (with a straight face), “i am NOT A QUITTER”!!! NO WAY JOSE! NOPE, THEY ALWAYS HAD TO FIRE MY ASS FIRST!!! I WOULD NEVER QUIT!!!
Three of my job interviews, the boss saw I had circled the number 14 on my Application, for the years of Education?? And, I was asked, “Oh!? You have an Associate Degree?! Do You”? My reply was: No, I just had to Repeat the 1st & 4th grades, that’s all! He laughed and said, “I like your attitude and anyone with that kind of an attitude, I want them working for me”! Then, he asked, “I can understand someone failing 4th grade, because, I did myself. But how anyone could fail 1st grade, is beyond me”?!! I said, “Hay man! It wasn’t easy”!!!!!! And it wasn’t!!