Intensive training for international math competitions starts

MANILA, Philippines - More than 220 young elementary and high school kids have started their intensive math training to prepare them to represent the country in at least eight international mathematical Olympiads this year.

Dr. Simon Chua, president of the Mathematics Trainers Guild (MTG)- Philippines, said that 227 math whiz kids from private and public elementary and high schools all over the country selected by their group after their one-week Young Mathematicians In-House Intensive Training Program held at the Crown Hotel and La Vista Resort Hotel in Balanga City, Bataan late last month have started their training last Monday. Chua said that MTG’s Math Olympiad Summer Training will last until May 14.

The 227 qualifiers will then undergo MTG’s Math Olympiad Summer Training Program, said Chua, the lone Filipino Paul Erdos Awardee for Mathematical Excellence.

Among the international math tournaments that the MTG will send participants are the China Junior High School Math Olympiad and the China Western Math Olympiad, both in the People’s Republic of China; International Math Contest in Singapore; International Math Competition in Incheon, South Korea; Wizards at Math International Competition in Lucknow, India; International Math and Science Olympiad for Primary Schools in Indonesia; and the International Regions Math League in Las Vegas, Nevada, among others.

MTG boasts that their wards harvested 350 medals, including 46 golds, from various foreign math contests in 2009.