Hong Kong Hosts 11th International Mathematical Modeling Challenge Summit, Celebrating Student Achievements in Mathematics Education.

EDB co-organises 11th Annual International Mathematical Modeling Challenge International Summit cum Award Ceremony with educational organisations and various local universities

The Education Bureau (EDB) today (July 24), together with the NeoUnion ESC Organization, the Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong, co-organised the 11th Annual International Mathematical Modeling Challenge (IMMC) International Summit cum Award Ceremony, in which global experts were invited to share their insights on various topics to promote local and international exchanges in mathematics education. The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, officiated at the ceremony and presented awards to the winning students.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Choi said that in the era of artificial intelligence, it is important for students to develop the ability to model complex real-world phenomena and the capacity to extract insights from vast datasets. The EDB has hence strengthened the promotion of mathematical modelling in schools, putting emphasis on real-world application of mathematics and encouraging the effective use of digital technologies in learning and teaching.

To align with the national strategy of invigorating the country through science and education, and the international trend of nurturing future technological talents, the EDB has been stepping up the promotion of STEAM(science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education with a range of initiatives including arranging for teachers to attend training programmes that enhance their professional competence and for students to participate in competitions to broaden their horizons. The EDB will further promote the use of AI, coding and other digital tools in modelling, with a view to integrating mathematical modelling into the learning and teaching of mathematics in primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong.

The IMMC is an international mathematical modelling competition for secondary students worldwide, aiming at encouraging participants to apply mathematical modelling to explore and solve major problems in the real world, thereby popularising mathematical modelling education and enhancing the mathematical literacy and technological innovation capabilities of secondary students. The IMMC serves as an important platform for students to practise mathematical modelling and exchange their achievements.

Hong Kong students performed well in the IMMC 2025 in Greater China Region. Sixteen students from Diocesan Girls' School, Pui Kiu College, St. Paul's Co-educational College and Wah Yan College, Kowloon obtained an Outstanding Award for IMMC 2025 of Greater China.

At the International Summit, international experts in mathematical modelling education shared their views on topics including challenges in mathematical modelling education, development of mathematical modelling in Hong Kong, applications of mathematical modelling, and the role of teachers in mathematical modelling education. The summit also featured experience sharing by award-winning students, with a view to promoting international exchanges in mathematical modelling education and further strengthening students' ability in applying mathematics.

Other guests included the President of the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction and Emeritus Professor of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Frederick Leung; Chair Professor of the Department of Mathematics and Department of Industrial Engineering and Decision Analytics of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Professor Wang Yang; and the Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Decision Analytics of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Zhang Jiheng. Teachers and students from Hong Kong and over 30 countries and regions also participated in the International Summit cum Award Ceremony.

EDB co-organises 11th Annual International Mathematical Modeling Challenge International Summit cum Award Ceremony with educational organisations and various local universities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EDB co-organises 11th Annual International Mathematical Modeling Challenge International Summit cum Award Ceremony with educational organisations and various local universities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EDB co-organises 11th Annual International Mathematical Modeling Challenge International Summit cum Award Ceremony with educational organisations and various local universities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 14) said that, through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration, it has successfully tackled an illegal waste disposal blackspot on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun, significantly improving environmental and hygienic conditions. Over 50 prosecutions were instituted during the operation.

Yick Yuen Road in Tuen Mun is situated in a remote rural area, surrounded by villages and brownfields. Following the commencement of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area project, residents in the vicinity of Yick Yuen Road had gradually relocated. The EPD had identified illegal waste disposal at a concealed and remote roadside spot on Yick Yuen Road since mid-last year. The situation has grown increasingly severe, adversely affecting environmental hygiene.

The EPD promptly co-ordinated with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Highways Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, and the Lands Department to jointly work out an action plan. A series of interdepartmental collaborative measures were implemented, including setting up a smart surveillance system to detect illegal activities, swiftly clearing waste to prevent the deterioration of hygiene conditions, as well as placing concrete barriers and warning signage to deter further violations. During the initial phase of the operation (from June to August 2025), the EPD utilised the smart surveillance system to quickly identify vehicles transporting waste for illegal disposal at the site and prosecuted the registered owners of the relevant vehicles. Among these, several small-scale works or transport companies were found to be involved in repeated illegal dumping of large quantities of waste and demolition materials. These prompt prosecutions had a significant deterrent effect, resulting in a substantial reduction in violations in the subsequent months.

An EPD spokesman said, "The department has been concerned about the rural areas of the New Territories, especially some public places such as remote roadsides or laybys, which are easily becoming illegal waste disposal sites. The waste deposited at this site, including some large-sized commercial and industrial (C&I) waste, not only created obstruction to pathways but also caused environmental hygiene problems. The EPD will continue to combine technology-driven enforcement with interdepartmental collaboration in its commitment to improving the living environment."

The spokesman appealed to all sectors, especially members of the logistics and construction industries, to properly dispose of waste in accordance with the laws. The logistics sector and the C&I sector may contact recyclers to collect C&I waste with reusable or recycling value, while non-recyclable waste should be delivered to refuse transfer stations or landfills.

According to the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation (Chapter 132BK), it is an offence to dispose of waste on streets or in public places from vehicles, including goods vehicles, private cars and motorcycles. The registered vehicle owners concerned may be prosecuted. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and six months' imprisonment.

Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases