Ateneo graduate wins 2nd place at World Nuclear University Olympiad

MANILA, Philippines – A 22-year-old fresh graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University won second place at the World Nuclear University (WNU) Olympiad in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, September 17.

Anton Tanquintic won second place for his “Nuclear Solutions for Today’s Needs” entry. (READ: Ateneo student makes it to World Nuclear University Olympiad)

The grand winner is Alice Cunha da Silva  of Brazil, while third place went to Vivek Maradia of India.

Tanquintic, who finished his degrees in BS Applied Physics and BS Materials Science and Engineering, with honors, at Ateneo in July, shared the good news in his Facebook post on Saturday, September 19.

“Two days late, but: I won 2nd in the Nuclear Olympiad! Not bad at all! The final round presentation was fantastic, I met a bunch of cool people and made new friends, and I got to spend my few days in Vienna at a prestigious nuclear technology conference at the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency! Definitely a win in my books!” he said.

In the first round of the Olympiad challenge in June 2015, judges selected qualifying video entries on the theme, “Nuclear Techniques for Global Development.” The public was asked to like the videos they favored on YouTube.

Anton got help from sister Antoinette on the video.

On July 9, the total number of likes were counted and the top 5 submissions were selected.

In the next stage of the competition, the 5 finalists were asked to write an essay on “Radioisotopes: How are they produced.” In the final stage of the presentation, they were asked to make an oral presentation of their essays to a panel of judges on September 17, 2015, at the International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters in Vienna.

The WNU said its Nuclear Olympiad “connects with students who are excited about nuclear science and technology, and gives them a voice in an international setting.” The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students of universities.

“The Olympiad was launched to raise awareness about the applications of nuclear science and technology for global development,” WNU said.

This year’s Nuclear Olympiad 2015 required research into the nuclear applications and their positive impact on human lives, it said. – Rappler.com