Rakan Muda GACC World Inter-Varsity Chess Championship

What is this GACC thing? Actually I myself struggled long enough before discovering that GACC is actually the abbreviation of Grand Asian Chess Challenge. After finding out this, one might find that this is not relevant to the other part of the name which is World Inter-Varsity Chess Challenge. Why? It is because when this chess challenge was first founded by secholions years ago, it is only limited to participants from Asia. As the event grows, the limit to Asian participants was lifted and therefore the new name is used. However, to commemorate the earlier challenges, the abrreviation GACC is remained till now.

This year, the Second Residential College of the University of Malaya will host its 13th RM GACC WIVCC 2008. I am in the multimedia department of the organising committee and the director of one of its sub-project, the STPM seminar. So, I would just like to post some information about this seminar so that interested readers can contact me for reservation.

STPM Seminar

Date: 20 September 2008
Time: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Lecture Hall, Economics and Administration Faculty, University of Malaya

Subject Offered:
General Studies
Chemistry
Biology/Physics
Mathematics T
Economics
History
Accounts

Entrance Fee:
RM 30 per subject (minimum of 2 subjects)
RM 100 for 4 subjects (discounted price)

Contact Number for Reservation:
Goh Jun Yan (016-6669883)

We are inviting experienced sixth form teachers and you will for sure benefit from this seminar. We will also provide some advice on university admission and merit point calculation. Plus, you also get to talk to us individually to understand more about the courses we are studying. STPM GPA 4.0 scorers will be there to share some of their secrets too.
Please contact me as soon as possible as seats are limited.

40th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) - The Official Report

11 July 2008 – Departure to Budapest, Hungary
At around 9.30 pm, the contingent of Malaysia to the Olympiad gathered at KLIA before the departure to Budapest, Hungary. The family of the participants was also there to give them moral support before the departure.


12 July 2008 – Arrival at Ferihegy Airport, Budapest
Arriving at Ferihegy Airport, we were greeted by our guide, Bálint Balázs. We were then brought to the hotel where the mentors stayed for registration. We had the rest of the day free.


13 July 2008 – Opening Ceremony
It is a custom for the opening ceremony to be held on the second day of the Olympiad with a welcome reception and a city tour after the ceremony. The ceremony was splendid.



14 July 2008 – Excursion to Balatonfüred
We had an excursion to Balatonfüred, a lake in Hungary but it is called the ‘Hungarian Sea’ by the Hungarians. We get to taste traditional Hungarian dishes like Goulash in a traditional restaurant.


15 July 2008 – Practical Examination and Tour to the Parliament of Hungary
It is the practical exam today and we spent 5 hours in the lab. Later of the day, we visited the Parliament of Hungary. It is really a magnificent building.


16 July 2008 – Team Building Games
We get to play some games before the Theoretical Examination on the next day. This is the drawing drawn by the Malaysian team and participants from other countries on the Lake Balaton.


17 July 2008 – Theoretical Examination and Reunion Party
We had an intense 5 hour theoretical exam. Everyone was relieved after the exam. However, it is time we meet our mentors. We had our reunion party on the ship ‘Europa’.


18 and 19 July 2008 – Excursion to Visegrád and Egar
Here, we get to experience the life of Hungarian kings. We get to enjoy the imperial feast in the Renaissance Restaurant.


20 July 2008 – Closing Ceremony and Farewell Banquet Our country managed to get 2 Bronze Medals and an Honorary Mention. We had our Farewell Banquet at the Railway Museum.