APIO meeting on 26 July 2011 at IOI 2011 in Pattaya, Thailand

Meeting opened at 9:25am.

Delegations present:

• Australia
• Bangladesh
• China
• Hong Kong
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Korea
• Macao
• Mongolia
• New Zealand
• Singapore
• Sri Lanka
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Vietnam

The meeting was chaired by Mohammad Safari from Iran.

• Iran reported on APIO 2011:
  • Thanks to all 17 delegations who participated.
  • There were 456 contestants, of which 85 scored more than zero.
  • 7 gold medals, 14 silver medals and 21 bronze medals were awarded.
• Iran wishes to formalise the task selection process:
  • This year there were 3 hard problems and 3 easy problems on the shortlist. Using a simple voting system, the 3 hard problems were selected.
  • It was proposed that the host delegation should have more discretion over the task selection in order to choose a more balanced task set.
  • It was also proposed that an equivalent to the IOI's ISC should be consulted in the selection. This APIO international scientific committee will consist of hosts from APIO n-1, n and n+1.
• Report on APIO 2012:
  • Japan proposes to hold APIO 2012 on Saturday 12 May 2012.
  • No concerns were raised.
• Report on APIO 2013:
  • Singapore volunteered to host APIO 2013. Host of 2013 was uncontested.
• Proposal to publish solutions for APIO tasks online:
  • No disagreement.
• Do we want to have non-standard tasks in the APIO? e.g. interactive tasks?
  • Japan is happy to support such tasks in APIO 2012.
• Do we want to have an olympiad where delegations travel to a central location?
  • Iran could not host an on-site contest this year because of issues with their government.
  • Vietnam is unable to participate in the APIO because their government body believes that an online contest is "too informal".
  • Indonesia also has this issue, but circumvents it by holding their training school at the same time as the APIO.
  • Japan is unable to host an on-site APIO in 2012.
  • Singapore will consider hosting an on-site APIO in 2013.
  • Bangladesh points out that on-site contests have visa hazards. APIO would need to be a hybrid on-site and online contest.
• Committee elections:
  • As established last year, the APIO committee deals with APIO-related issues arising during the year (outside the IOI). The committee consists of hosts of APIO n-1, n and n+1, and two elected members for a term of one year.
  • Indonesia and Australia were elected uncontested for a term of one year. As past, current and future hosts, Iran, Japan and Singapore are also committee members.

Meeting closed at 9:50am.