Hong Kong students triumph at 38th International Olympiad in Informatics
A team of four students representing Hong Kong achieved excellent results in the 38th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI 2026), winning two gold medals, one silver medal and one honourable mention. Representatives from 92 countries or regions from all over the world participated in this year's IOI, which was held in Uzbekistan. The Hong Kong team ranked sixth, marking the city's best-ever performance at the IOI.
The four students awarded at the IOI 2026 are as follows:
| Gold medal: | Adam Xu (Wah Yan College, Kowloon) Ivan Mak (La Salle College) |
| Silver medal: | Lo Ting-wai (Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School) |
| Honourable mention: | Berton Choy (La Salle College) |
Ivan Mak (La Salle College)
The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (August 19) congratulated the team on their excellent performance. "It is very encouraging to see the remarkable achievements of the Hong Kong team in the IOI to produce Hong Kong's best performance to date, which is a result of the students' persistent work. The students have demonstrated their problem-solving and programming skills, and innovative thinking," she said.
"The Education Bureau (EDB) continues to vigorously promote digital education and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education in primary and secondary schools. The Blueprint for Digital Education Development in Primary and Secondary Schools has been released to holistically cultivate students' digital literacy, innovative thinking, and capability to adapt to future society. I wish to extend my gratitude to the school sector for partnering with the EDB in promoting digital education and STEAM education in Hong Kong continuously. Schools not only promote innovation and technology as well as digital education through classroom teaching, but also provide diversified learning opportunities for students outside the classroom including competitions in order to develop a solid foundation in mathematics, science and technology among students and nurture their creativity, enabling them to apply knowledge and skills to solve problems, enrich their learning experience and broaden their horizons."
The IOI under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is for secondary school students under the age of 20. It aims to promote coding education, nurture students' computational thinking and problem-solving skills, that is the most recognised worldwide computer science competition for secondary school students.
Since 1997, the EDB and the Hong Kong Association for Computer Education have jointly organised the Hong Kong Olympiad in Informatics (HKOI). Outstanding winners from the HKOI are selected as Hong Kong representatives every year to enter the IOI. They are required to attend a series of training programmes to better prepare for the international competition. In the tradition of passing the torch, many of the trainers are previous contestants of the international event.
Hong Kong students triumph at 38th International Olympiad in Informatics Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
AAHK and Qatar Airways Cargo sign MOU to strengthen co-operation on air connectivity and aviation development
Qatar Airways Cargo today (August 19) opened its air cargo regional office in Hong Kong and signed with the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) theMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Airport Authority Hong Kong and Qatar Airways Cargo on Strengthening Cooperation on Air Connectivity and Aviation Development to enhance co-operation on air connectivity and aviation development.
The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, attended the opening ceremony and witnessed the signing of the MOU. She said, "I am delighted to welcome Qatar Airways Cargo's setting up of a regional office in Hong Kong, which fully reflects the airline's confidence in and recognition of Hong Kong as an international aviation hub. Hong Kong and Qatar have long enjoyed a profound foundation of collaboration in aviation. The MOU signed today is of great strategic significance and will bring the partnership between the two places to new heights."
Ms Chan added that this powerful alliance with Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), the world's busiest cargo airport, and Qatar Airways Cargo, a leading global carrier, will foster greater synergies in promoting seamless global cargo flows. She also revealed at the ceremony that a local airline will announce tomorrow (August 20) details of its newly launched flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan, further expanding Hong Kong's global air network. She noted that the capacity of HKIA has substantially increased following the commissioning of the Three-Runway System (3RS). Capitalising on the opportunities brought by the 3RS and the country's support for the "Air Silk Road", the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will continue to forge closer ties in air services with global aviation partners, with priority focus on regions with further development potential and new growth areas, such as South America, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Senior Vice President Cargo Sales of Qatar Airways Cargo, Mr Eric Wilson, commended HKIA as Asia's premier air cargo hub with world-class infrastructure, exceptional handling efficiency and a strategic location. "By establishing our regional office in Hong Kong and deepening our partnership with the AAHK, the group is perfectly positioned to leverage Hong Kong's strengths to further connect the global network with the vibrant markets of Asia and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," he said.
The MOU will enable HKIA to capture greater cargo flow tonnage, while leveraging the capacity of Qatar Airways Cargo to enhance connectivity with markets with development potential, such as destinations in South America, thereby further expanding HKIA's global aviation network. The MOU also covers co-operation in advancing operational excellence and service enhancement, as well as supporting sustainability and talent development.
The HKSAR Government has been committed to promoting the long-term development of the aviation industry. To further consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub, the Civil Aviation Department has announced the extension of exemption measures related to non-scheduled cargo flights, and has been encouraging airlines to increase the flight frequency of scheduled cargo services and open up new cargo routes. Meanwhile, the Government will continue to work closely with the AAHK to expand the aviation network to seize growth opportunities in the markets.
AAHK and Qatar Airways Cargo sign MOU to strengthen co-operation on air connectivity and aviation development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
AAHK and Qatar Airways Cargo sign MOU to strengthen co-operation on air connectivity and aviation development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
