Wen-Hsien SUN Chairman, the Executive Board of International Mathematics Competition President, Chiu Chang Mathematics Education Foundation
The first time I led the Taiwanese students to participate in international mathematics competitions, a dream was born in me to organize an international mathematics competition in Taiwan. I kept that dream alive, and so the same dream comes true today
Our honored guests, contestants and delegates of the participating countries, friends, ladies and gentlemen: Welcome to the 2012 Taiwan International Mathematics Competition (TAIMC). Today, the best young mathematicians from 28 countries find their roads to Taiwan and as such I am very pleased to meet all of you with special mention to the team officials and above all the participants of both key stage II and key stage III.
Your presence in this year’s international mathematics competitions tells one thing and that is the importance of mathematics cannot be argued. As our world advances in space technologies, electronic communications, financial transactions, biochemistry, and so on, deep knowledge of mathematics becomes more essential. It is only through transfusion of mathematics that these diverse fields can be taken to new heights.
With the recognition of the importance of mathematics comes the understanding that interest in the subject and familiarization with mathematical thinking must be nurtured at the earliest possible age. Hence many activities in mathematics have been organized, mathematics competition being one in this wide range.
The Taiwan International Mathematics Competition is not only a platform for students from different countries to compete. Unlike other mathematics competitions which depend solely on paper and pen, we have designed team contests which require group effort, discussion and cooperation among team members to solve the problems. This event also provides an opportunity for you to meet people from different nations, cultures, religions and ways of life. It broadens your international perspective and to learn to tolerate and understand, so as to promote peace in the world.
In the TAIMC this year, we have also arranged a series of talks in mathematics, forum in mathematics education and a World Conference on the Mathematically Gifted Students – the Role of Educators and Parents.
We have invited government officials and specialists from different countries to report at the forum on their philosophies, policies and practices on education for the gifted. We have also invited Professor Andy Liu from Canada to give a talk on a specific topic in mathematics. We invite parents of mathematically gifted students from various countries to participate in the forum to explore ways of nurturing and teaching the mathematically gifted and to share experiences and opinions.
To enable you to appreciate the beauty and joy of mathematics, we have organized interesting mathematical activities like the Puzzles Challenge.
Our warmth is comparable to the temperature of Taipei. We sincerely invite you to study the culture and life of Taiwan and to understand the freedom and democracy enjoyed by us in this economically prosperous society in addition to seeing the beautiful scenery.
Ladies, Gentlemen and Contestants: Let us embrace mathematics happily, enjoy mathematics and the competition! And always remember, make Taiwan your home away from home. Thank you.