365 students train to represent Phl in int’l math, science contests

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 365 students have passed qualifier tests administered by the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG-Philippines) to get into a pool of young math “wizards” who will represent the country in  various international math and science competitions this year.

Dr. Simon Chua, MTG Philippines president, said that a series of tests they gave for the 2013 Youth Mathematicians In-House Intensive Training Program (YMIITP) in Tagaytay City had 280 elementary school students from both public and private schools qualifying, and 85 public and private high school students qualifying to undergo training for international math and science olympiads this year.

Chua, the lone Filipino recipient of the prestigious Paul Erdos International Award for Mathematical Excellence, said that there were a total of 2,324 who participated in the 2013 YMIITP in Tagaytay City last week.

Participants attended lectures given by top caliber math experts and solved complex math problems including number theory to functions, inequalities, quadratic equations, case techniques and advanced topics during the YMIITP.

Aside from the 365 qualifiers, the MTG also picked 469 elementary and high school students as “alternates” or reserves.

Among the schools whose students qualified to represent the country are Philippine Science High School System, Xavier School, St. Jude Catholic School in Manila, Grace Christian College, St. Stephen’s High School, Makati Science High School, Zamboanga Chong Hua High School, Philippine Cultural College, Jubilee Christian Academy, Chiang Kai Shek College, San Beda College Alabang, Ateneo de Manila University, Iloilo Central Commercial High School, Southville International School and Colleges, and UP Integrated School.

Chua said this year, the selected Filipino students will compete in international math competitions including in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Bulgaria.

The qualifiers and alternates will undergo a final preparation called the 2013 Mathematical Olympiad Summer Training Program (MOSTP), a month-long training is being held from April 10 to May 16 at the Arellano University Abad Santos Campus at the corner of Taft Avenue and Gil Puyat (Buendia) Avenue and will be conducted by local and international math experts.