International math experts to train Filipino teachers

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 3, 2010) - Six well-known international math experts from China, Taiwan, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand will be coming to the Philippines to train Filipino teachers on the latest trends in mathematics that could help uplift the quality of teaching in the country.

The experts, who are all respected in the international math community, have been invited by the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines for the 2010 International Mathematics Educators Convention that will be held from October 21 to 24 at the Royale Tagaytay Country Club in Cavite.

Dr. Simon Chua, MTG president, said these experts will teach about the newest math teaching methodologies and innovative strategies to make math a fun-filled subject in schools.

They are Dr. Lee Shen Hong, chairman of the China Mathematical Olympiad; Prof. Wen Hsien Sun, president of the Chiu Chang Math Education Foundation in Taipei, Taiwan; Prof. Peter Taylor, executive director of the Australian Mathematics Trust; Dr. Pramote Kajornpai, director at Thailand’s Ministry of Education; Prof. Pinky Leung, principal of the Hong Kong Mathematical Olympiad School; and Dr. Ridwan Hasan Saputra, president and director of the KPM Math Clinic in Indonesia.

The convention will be held in coordination with the Department of Education.

Dr. Chua, the first Filipino to receive the prestigious Paul Erdos Award for mathematics, said the MTG and the DepEd is committed to promoting and uplifting mathematics education in the country.

“Math should not be a fearsome subject for students. It can be taught in a fun-filled classroom environment. Our Filipino math teachers will learn the newest math teaching techniques from these international experts,” said Chua who founded the MTG in 1995 along with Professor Rechilda Villame.

Since then, MTG has been spearheading the country’s quest for math excellence by training Filipino students and sending them to compete in international math contests.

This year alone, MTG-trained Filipino students won medals in various international math competitions including the International Mathematics Competitions in Singapore and South Korea, China Primary Math Olympiad, and 13th Po Leung Kuk Primary Mathematics World Contest.