The 17th Asian Physics Olympiad in 2016 (APhO 2016) – Second Circular

22 March 2016

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to update you the progress of 17th Asian Physics Olympiad in 2016 (APhO 2016):

Preliminary APhO 2016 Program Overview

Date Students Leaders/Observers/Visitors 1 May 2016 Arrivals and Registration 2 May 2016 Opening Ceremony and Excursion Opening Ceremony and Theoretical Paper Discussion 3 May 2016 Theoretical Examination and Excursion Free Time and Excursion 4 May 2016 Excursion Experimental Paper Discussion 5 May 2016 Experimental Examination and Campus Tour Free Time and Excursion 6 May 2016 Excursion Free Time and Excursion 7 May 2016 Excursion Moderation and International Board Meeting 8 May 2016 Free Time, Closing Ceremony and Farewell Banquet 9 May 2016 Departures

Official expenses during APhO 2016 (1-9 May 2016) will be covered. All expenses beyond APhO 2016 period will be on own account of the teams.

Participating Countries/Regions

Official invitation letters have been mailed to the Minister of Education or the Equivalent. As of 22 March, we received confirmations of participation from the following countries and regions:

Afghanistan Chinese Georgia Hong Kong - B Laos Romania Russia Turkey

Online Registration

Login IDs and passwords for each team have been sent to country coordinators. Please complete registration and provide your flight details at https://apho2016.registration.ust.hk/login.php by 1 April 2016. If an extension of deadline is needed, please contact the Secretariat at [email protected].

Visa

Please refer to http://apho2016.ust.hk/visa.php. You are advised to submit applications at your earliest convenience. We can issue an invitation letter upon request to assist your visa application if necessary after receiving your information on registration system. It normally takes four to six weeks for the Immigration Department to process your application upon receipt of all required documents. The final decision of visa issuance is at the discretion of the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

17th Asian Physics Olympiad in Hong Kong (1-9 May, 2016) Tel: (852) 2358 7981 Fax: (852) 2358 1652 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://apho2016.ust.hk

Flights to Hong Kong

Most international airlines have flights to Hong Kong International Airport. You are advised to book air tickets for your team as early as possible. Please update flight schedule on registration system accordingly to facilitate transportation arrangement for your team.

Participation Fees

 Team (maximum 8 students and 2 leaders): USD 1,000  Observer/Visitor: USD 1,400/person

Payment Methods

1. Telegraphic Transfer (TT) (Preferred Method)

Bank Hang Seng Bank Limited, UST Branch Bank Address Hang Seng Bank Limited Room G030, The HKUST, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Bank Account No. 024-361-008071-669 Bank Account Name The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology SWIFT Code HASE HKHH

Please state "APhO2016-(name of country/region)" in TT application under the message or instruction.

2. Bank Draft

Please mail bank drafts to:

Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong Attn: Miss Sandy Lam

Please state "APhO2016-(name of country/region)" at the back of the bank draft.

Please inform the Secretariat when the payment is arranged. Your payment status will be updated on the registration system accordingly. Invoices will be sent upon request and official receipts will be given to leaders onsite at the APhO 2016 registration desk. Kindly note that the participating teams have to bear all banking charges for all payment methods. All payments must be reached by 8 April 2016.

Calculators

We will provide calculators (Casio FX82MS) to all students for free. User Guide can be found at: http://support.casio.com/pdf/004/GY300_Dtype_E.pdf.

17th Asian Physics Olympiad in Hong Kong (1-9 May, 2016) Tel: (852) 2358 7981 Fax: (852) 2358 1652 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://apho2016.ust.hk

Medical Insurance

It is highly recommended that delegates should purchase suitable travel and medical insurance in their own country. The organizers will not be responsible for any medical expenses incurred by the leaders, students, observers and visitors during their participation during the Olympiad period. During APhO 2016, our onsite medical staff will provide first aid service when necessary. There is a clinic at HKUST and major hospitals near the hotels.

Computer

Each team will be provided a desktop computer installed with Windows operating system, Microsoft Office and Adobe Reader at the discussion venue. If you require special software, you are highly recommended to bring your own laptop computer for your own use.

More information will be included in future circulars. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely,

K. Y. Michael Wong Chair, Organizing Committee of APhO 2016 Professor of Physics, HKUST

17th Asian Physics Olympiad in Hong Kong (1-9 May, 2016) Tel: (852) 2358 7981 Fax: (852) 2358 1652 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://apho2016.ust.hk