President Ma Ying-jeou on the afternoon of January 28 met with Taiwan's team to the 7th International Junior Science Olympiad. The president congratulated the students who won medals, as well as their advising instructors, and also expressed his hope that the students will continue to work hard to win distinction for the nation and create the conditions for their future success.
In remarks to the group, the president noted that the 2010 competition was held in Nigeria, and that some 180 students from 35 nations participated, with Taiwan sending six students to take part. Taiwan led all competing nations by winning four gold medals and two silvers. One student from Taiwan won the Best Theory Award and was also the Overall Winner. The president remarked that Taiwan's showing at a number of international competitions has been extremely strong, including the iENA International Trade Fair in Nuremberg, the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, and Germany's red dot and iF design awards. This demonstrates the excellence of science education in Taiwan, which he said has enabled Taiwanese to make a name for themselves at international competitions.
The president stressed that Taiwan has limited natural resources, but is no stranger to natural disasters. What it does have in abundance is talent, and he said he hopes that the best education will enable our youngsters to become leaders in their chosen fields, which is why he stated four hopes for the future in his New Year's Day Message, namely: educational reforms that provide a lasting solution; environmental stewardship that provides lasting viability; lasting justice; and lasting peace. The first of these hopes centers on education, he commented. President Ma noted that the government this year will begin phasing in 12-year public education, starting with vocational high schools, and that the tentative plan is that by 2014 high school and vocational high school will be tuition-free and in most cases require no entrance exam. At the same time, tuition for five-year-olds will be waived starting this year. It is hoped that investment in education will help to highlight Taiwan's competitiveness, he said.
The group was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Yang Chang-yu, Director of the Ministry of Education's Department of Elementary Education, to receive congratulations from President Ma. Also attending the meeting was Deputy Secretary-General to the President Liu Bao-guey.