From: trin@tlaeng.enet.dec.com
Newsgroups: soc.culture.thai
Subject: Olympic success in the world of science
Date: 25 Jul 92 14:56:29 +0700
Organization: Digital Equipment (Thailand), Ltd.

Bangkok Post, July 23 1992.

Olympic success in the world of science
by Supachai Lorlowhakarn

  With attention firmly focused on the upcoming Summer Olympic games,
one might be forgiven for having missed another Olympaid which has
just taken place.
  Biology may not sound the kind of subject to inspire Olympic-type
gatherings but it was this science that was the centre of attention at
the third International Biology Olympaid (IBO) held earlier this
month. Taken place in Propad in the Federal Republic of Czechs and
Slovaks, the event saw a young Thai, 17-year-old Duangmueng
Chamchumrus, winning the gold medal.
  A highschool student from Triam Udom Suksa, Duangmueng was among 52 
top students from 13 nations competing in this Olympaid of the
sciences. Apart from Duangmueng's gold medal performance, other
members of the Thai team - Iyarit Thaipisuthikul, Nipada Ruankaew and
Kittisak Yokthongwattana - proudly took silver and bronze medals as
well.
  [note: Iyarit and Nipada won silver medals. Kittisak won a bronze
         medal. --Trin]
  Biology may be difficult for many students but for Duangmueng it is
obviously a labour of love. "To study biology is to learn about nature
and the environment," he said. "A good memory is necessary but not
all. The concept should come first before any analytical process in
solving biological problems. I would say that good biology is based on
a good combination of various knowledge including mathematics,
chemistry and even physics."
  The biology whiz-kid wants to study molecular genetics, which will
lead him to understand bio-technology applications, such as those used
in increasing crop production. Though his career goal is in biological
science, his personal interests are language and archaeology.
  Before Duangmueng and the other three team members were selected to
represent Thailand in the competition, they went through a series of
tests, in both theory and practice. A nationwide screening results in
25 students attending an intensive three-week course in biology,
conducted by lecturers from leading universities. A test is then held
to find the top 10 students in the training course. Four finalists are
eventually chosen.
  Acting as coaches accompanying the Thai team to the Olympaid were Dr
Sumonta Promboon from Srinakharinwirot University and Dr Usanee
Yodyingyuad from Chulalongkorn University. Both also acted as members of 
the International Jury in the IBO competition.
  The competition was divided into two parts: theory and practice.
According to Dr Sumonta, this year's examination concentrated on a
freshwater ecosystem and its terrestrial surroundings. Students had to
study a few plants, insects and other small invertebrates by using
basic tools such as magnifying glass, microscope, dissecting equipment
and staining solutions. They had to calculate the decomposition rate,
above-ground and total bio-mass of a forest and a freshwater pond
where the organisms were taken from.
  Since questions were in English, the coaches had to translate
students' answers from their native language into English. Those with
the highest score from both parts were the winners.
  The IBO is part of the annual International Mathematical and Science
Olympaids (IMSO), an idea derived from the Olympic Games. "Actually
the IMSO originated from the concept of the Eotvos Competition in
Hungary in 1894," said MR Sakda Boonto, a mathematician from
Chulalongkorn University. The idea was later extended to an
International Mathematics Olympaid (IMO) which took place in Romania
in 1959.
  IMO is recognised in the world of mathematics and its achievements
have been widely spread out in other sciences. In 1967, the first
Physics Olympaid took place, with Chemistry following in 1969,
Informatics or Computers in 1989 and Biology in 1990.
  The IBO, like the IMO, also developed from an older competition in
biology in Czechoslovakia, in the mid sixties - the Biology Olympaid
(BO). The aim of the BO was to attract students to study biological
problems and develop their knowledge to other subjects, such as
chemistry, geography or mathematics. The BO had a long tradition in
Czechoslovakia, the number of competitors increasing from 26,000 in
1981/1982 to 50,000 in the 1988/1989 school year, until it was altered
to the international competition in July 1990.
  The goal of the Olympaids is clearly defined: To improve the skills
and talent of students; their independence, creativity and
self-reliance in spheres of their interest and future professional
specialisation at international level.
  "As Thailand develops toward a more technology oriented society,
good science and mathematics education are the most important pillars
for the country, in order to develop itself into a self-dependent-
technology country," said Dr Sumonta.
  Thailand first participated in the competition 30 years after its
inception. In 1989, Thai science educators decided to participate in
the competition in the Federal Republic of Germany, despite tight
financial constraints.
  "At that time we knew we should go to the IMO but we couldn't unless
we solved our financial problems," said Dr Kamchad Mongkolkul,
president of the Science Society of Thailand, one of the major
partners who initiated the country's participation.
  Luck was on their side when television spread the news. HRH Princess
Galyani Vadhana, with some friends, donated a starting fund. The first
Thai team was sent but came back empty hand.
  Not feeling a bit disappointed, Dr Kamchad seeing benefit of it,
said: "Much has been achieved in knowing ourselves in comparison with
the world standard of science education."
  In finding suitable students to represent the country, Dr Kamchad
pointed out that the successful candidates should not be mistaken as
geniuses.
  "They are just like other normal students who are studying either in
Bangkok or in the provinces. The differences are their interests and
their ability to be trained in sciences."
  The achievement was no overnight success. Those who have spent years
of hard work in preparation for the annual competition can best
testify. The many supporters including the Science Society of
Thailand, the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and
Technology, Mathematics Society, Computer Society, CHemical Society
and Physics Society.
  Getting to where we are now has taken a lot of effort, said Prof
Aksorn Sripleng, Chairman of the Biology section of the Science
Society of Thailand, adding that another source of pride came when
Thailand was asked to host the sixth IBO in 1995.
  There's certainly a lot to be done over the next three years and you
can be sure that the hosts will be doing best to ensure success, both
for the competition and the country.
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