Students from the Chinese mainland took part for the first time in the second Hong Kong Physics Olympiad held at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) on Sunday.

The 40 guest contestants from Guangdong Province were delegated by the Physics Teaching Professional Committee, Education Association of China to join 1,261 talented students nominated by 179 Hong Kong secondary schools in the competition.

Jointly organized by the Education and Manpower Bureau, the HKUST, the Hong Kong Physics Olympiad Committee and the Hong Kong Physical Society, the competition aims to promote physics education in Hong Kong while making available enhancement opportunities to the physics gifted students to further their studies in this area.

The Hong Kong Physics Olympiad 2004 was administered in the form of a three-hour written examination with multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Participants will be awarded First, Second and Third Honors and Honorable Mention based on their individual performance.

A series of structured enhancement training will be organized for Hong Kong students, along with professional development for their teachers. After the training, a number of the most outstanding students will be selected to represent Hong Kong in the 36th International Physics Olympiad to be held in Spain in July 2005.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2004)