Premier Chang, Education Minister Tu, Chairman Chen of the National Science Council, Founder of the International Junior Science Olympiad Professor Ginting, IJSO President Professor Yeh, Dear Guests and Students:
Good afternoon to you all!
First of all, I would like to congratulate all participants in the 10-day long Fourth International Junior Science Olympiad on your excellent performance and successfully overcoming various challenges. I also want to thank the teachers who accompanied your students to Taiwan for doing a wonderful job.
During the competition, as teachers overseeing your students' foreign trips, you have to not only help your students solve scientific questions, but also take care of their going in and out. That is real work. Your students' brilliant performance has demonstrated to the world the progress of scientific education in many countries. We see the hope and future of science in your students.
A scientific career can be a long and solitary one. Scientists often have to learn to endure loneliness. But on the other hand, scientific research also requires a lot of teamwork, to which every scientist contributes his or her best, hoping to fulfill the shared aspiration to improve the lives of humankind.
This international contest has in some ways mirrored what a scientific career is like. You have worked together to find answers to the questions. Meanwhile, being away from home, you probably felt lonely sometimes. Such loneliness could be trying even to adults. As teenagers, your successfully completing this contest truly attests to your admirable passion and determination.
Evaluation always comes at the end of competitions. However, evaluation is simply a way to exhibit contest results. I believe what you have learned during this contest is much more than its results. In fact, we have seen in you both the scientific spirit persisting in finding out the truth and the friendship you have for one another.
This international contest has brought together young students sharing the passion for science. As a journey in search of knowledge can last many years, I hope that you will cherish the friends you made during this competition and maybe become best partners in your future scientific research, so that you can jointly contribute to the advancement of science. The friends you made here and your broadened horizons through this competition could be the most special and precious gifts you have received on this visit to Taiwan.
It is no easy task to organize an international event such as this. Therefore, I would like to express my commendation and appreciation to all staff for your hard work. Without you, this event could not have been so successful. In closing, on behalf of Taiwan's people, I would like to once again welcome all distinguished guests, teachers, and students from abroad, and I hope that you will have fond memories of this Olympiad. I wish you health and happiness and a safe trip home. Thank you.