Education BLog

Australia has provided young Hong Kong migrant Sampson Wong with the right environment for him to work to his maximum ability.

Sampson, 16, has recently become one of only a handful of Australians who have won a gold medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).

The year-11 student of James Ruse Agricultural High School in Sydney attributed his success to the freestyle education system in Australia that encouraged him to learn Mathematics as a subject of interest.

"It's not an easy task but I did not feel pressure at the IMO competition," he told Xinhua News Agency.

"And the support from my family, teachers and friends means a lot."

When Sampson was three, the Wong family migrated to Australia. Sampson's father, Jimmy Wong believes a good education system should be tailored more for individual talents, rather than sheer academic results.

"I think Australian education is better for my son as it is focused on students' talents and personal interest," Wong said.

"We are all born with natural abilities and talents. I don't want to put pressure on my son. Just let him know to be himself and enjoy learning new things abroad."

To Wong, happiness and health are the most important of all.

"I like to see Sampson happy and do things that he likes. Staying healthy is crucial in life and enables him to move forward," Wong said.

When asked about his future plan, Sampson said he aims for another gold medal in the IMO next year.

"I hope to win a second gold medal in the 2010 IMO and I'll endeavor to achieve this goal."

The IMO is the World Championship Mathematics Competition for High School students and is held annually in different countries. The first IMO was held in 1959 in Romania, with seven countries participating. It has gradually expanded to over 100 countries from five continents.

The six-member Australian student team won two gold medals at the 50th Olympiad in Bremen, Germany, last month and was placed 23rd out of 104 countries, with China in first position and Japan second.