Proudly bearing the Philippine flag and winning top awards are (L-R) gold medalist Wins Keinrich Chen (Saint Jude Catholic School); and silver medalists Shaun Mannix Yap (Saint Jude Catholic School), Jeremiah Auza (Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas), and Nouel Christian Amaguin (Manila Science High School).
PH students bag gold, silver
in int’l nuclear science olympiad held in Malaysia
The Philippine delegates all brought home top medals in the recent 2nd International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO) held at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia on 30 July to 06 August this year.
Wins Keinrich Chen of Saint Jude Catholic School clinched a gold medal while the rest of the Philippine team, composed of Jeremiah Auza of the Philippine Science High School - Central Visayas, Shaun Mannix Yap, also of the Saint Jude Catholic School; and Nouel Christian Amaguin of the Manila Science High School, all bagged silver.
On winning gold, Wins Keinrich Chen expressed happiness and satisfaction as their months of preparation paid off. “We also feel grateful for the PNRI staff specially Ma’am Kristine and Sir Jeff for their unwavering support in our INSO 2025 journey,” he said.
Wins also gives much credit to the rigorous preparation of the Philippine team. “The countless lectures, problem sets, experiments, and practice tests we had not only provided us a better understanding of nuclear science,” he said. “It also helped us have confidence in ourselves in answering the theoretical and experimental exam, ultimately allowing us to win our rewards.”
Coach Jeffrey Tare of the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) noted that the Philippine team was generally satisfied with their performance and the outcome of the competition. “Their excitement upon receiving their awards was such a relief for the team from the tense atmosphere during the closing ceremonies and perhaps during the actual examinations.”
According to Coach Jeffrey, the extensive six-week training program that covered various nuclear science topics helped prepare the students in achieving this feat. The training was facilitated by a pool of experts from PNRI and faculty members from the University of the Philippines.
“It was remarkable as well that our delegates demonstrated exemplary dedication and determination in completing the training program, underscoring their will to win in the Olympiad,” he added.
Fourteen countries, composed of 55 junior and senior high school students aged 20 years and below, vied at the 2nd INSO, all eyes on the coveted medals. The contestants came as teams representing their respective countries, but they competed as individuals who navigated both experimental and theoretical examinations.
“Everyone in the Philippine Team trained hard for the INSO, but this is not the only reason for their success,” said coach Kristine Marie Dean, also of the DOST-PNRI. “All of them are very intelligent and driven, their respective schools prepared them well. Their families, whom I had the opportunity to meet, were very supportive all the way. The coaching team also played a vital role in mentoring our students, while our sponsors provided the much needed resources. This is the recipe for their excellent performance at the 2nd INSO.”
INSO’s vital mission is to advance nuclear education and foster global collaboration in the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology.
The Philippine participation to the 2nd INSO was supported by the DOST-PNRI, DOST-National Research Council of the Philippines, International Atomic Energy Agency, Philippine Nuclear Science Foundation, MERALCO, Aboitiz Power Corporation, DMCI Power Corporation, and GN Power.
The 1st INSO was held at the Philippines last year where the country got two golds and one silver. Ms. Ana Elena Conjares, chief of PNRI’s Technology Diffusion Division and organizer of the 1st INSO, also joined the Philippine delegation to the 2nd INSO as representative of the PNRI management providing full support to the Philippine team.
(By the Nuclear Information and Documentation Section | Photos by Kristine Marie R. Dean, Jeffrey Tare, and Ana Elena Conjares, chief of PNRI’s Technology Diffusion Division, DOST-PNRI).
Experimental (left) and theoretical (right) examinations at the INSO
Some of the Philippine delegates to the 2nd INSO held in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (L-R) Ana Elena Conjares, chief of PNRI’s Technology Diffusion Division, Jeffrey Tare, Kristine Marie Dean, Jeremiah Auza, Wins Keinrich Chen, Shaun Mannix Yap, Nouel Christian Amaguin, and Jerome Auza.
