Priortizing resources for students taking international exams

Truong Van Quoc Dat received the silver medal at the  International Biology Olympiad in Armenia in 2022. Photo: Provided by the character

Proud achievement

Truong Van Quoc Dat, a student of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Hue University, was a 12th-grade student of Biology-specialized students, at Quoc Hoc High School for the Gifted, Hue Cityin 2022. He won the Silver medal at the 33rd International Biology Olympiad in Yerevan City, Armenia. The contest welcomed 231 contestants from 63 countries and territories. Dat's result was the best achievement of the Vietnamese student group in the biology team at that time. His theory test is in the countries’ top 10.

To achieve that achievement, Quoc Dat made a lot of efforts. He shared: “The tests spanned many fields, such as cells, microbiology, fauna and flora, genetics, and ecology, requiring basic knowledge to make inferences. First, I had to read and understand the theory of the above sections, then moved on to doing exercises and tests to practice my skills. In an international exam, the percentage of practical scores is very high, up to 50%. This part was emphasized in previous rounds, so I did not have an opportunity to prepare carefully. After being selected for the international competition team and going to Hanoi to practice, I devoted every practice session to practice.”

That achievement is Quoc Dat’s efforts and the training endeavors of the school teachers. As soon as Dat started his study at the school, the teachers discovered his qualities and began to guide him and list him in the school’s team of excellent students. During 3 years of study, he received lots of training from the school to accumulate knowledge and practical skills. “As a new student in the 10th grade, I didn't know anything about exams. Thanks to the teacher’s guidance, I could determine my direction. During the revision process, teachers guided and taught me a lot and provided me with many practical materials to review for each exam. The school also created favorable conditions for me to focus on studying,” said Quoc Dat.

Mr. Nguyen Phu Tho, the school’s Principal, said that the school had been absent from international competitions for many years. Since switching to the specialized school model in 2009, Quoc Hoc High School for the Gifted - Hue affirmed its right direction in improving the quality of training by having many students participate in and win international contests. 

In 2010, Dinh Anh Minh was the only person in the Vietnamese team to win the Gold Medal at the International Physics Olympiad. In 2014, Doan Quoc Hoai Nam won the silver medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad. Nguyen Hy Hoai Lam won the Bronze medal at the Asian Informatics Olympiad two years later. In 2017, Truong Dong Hung won the gold medal at the International Biology Olympiad, and Nguyen Hy Hoai Lam won bronze at the International Informatics Olympiad.

Truong Dong Hung (3rd from left) received the gold medal at the International Biology Olympiad in England in 2017. Photo: Provided by the character

Methodical roadmap

Mr. Tho said that to have students join the international competition team, there are many influencing factors, of which the school must select and train the students early, having a training roadmap and the students’ efforts, including intelligence and determination. “Being on an international team is very difficult. While the Asian contest subjects accept bigger teams, such as Informatics with 15 students, Physics with 8 students, the subjects of Biology, Chemistry, and Math of the International Olympiads permit only 4-5 students. Everyone was good, so the race was very fierce, and with close scores,” continued Mr. Tho.

School teachers start their search for excellent students as soon as they enter Grade 10, to have an appropriate training plan. There are even students discovered and nurtured when they are in grades 8 and 9. In grade 10, these students participate in national exams to select excellent students to gain experience. They may win a low award or no award, but they will be trained to accumulate a wealth of knowledge afterward. In addition to studying with the team, students who are considered seeds also have access to difficult materials, advanced lessons, and study with leading experts and teachers invited by the school.

Biology is the strongest subject of Quoc Hoc High School for the Gifted - Hue in international exams. The school has 4 students participating in the international Olympiad team for this subject so far. 3 of those students won international medals.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Hanh, Head of the Biology Section of Quoc Hoc High School for the Gifted - Hue, said that the students who can compete in the international arena are those who have the following qualities: A true passion for biology, the ability to extremely excellent mathematical skills, good foreign language competency and physical strength. When students go to the big arena, the practical exam is still a worrying part. However, Quoc Hoc students, who make it to the International Biology Olympiad team, always have a burning passion, sharp thinking, high determination, and the companionship of teachers to help them practice good practical skills to compete with international friends in the big arena.

Resolution 35 of the Provincial People’s Council on “Development of Quoc Hoc - Hue High School for the Gifted from 2022 - 2030, vision to 2045” is an important nudge for fostering excellent students. In particular, it promulgates priority policies on teacher recruitment, scholarships, and reward policies for students and teachers who obtain remarkable achievements in national, regional, and international excellent student contests…

“Since being turned into a specialized high school, the school has always received direction and favorable conditions for development from provincial leaders and the education sector. Resolution 35 enables us to motivate, reward, and encourage students and teachers. More importantly, our training work and contest results have proved the right direction of our effort,”  emphasized Mr. Tho.