INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIAD IN INFORMATICS
Minutes of the Meeting of the International Committee - IC 97/2
Room 4D, Leslie Social Sciences Building, University of Cape Town
17:00 Monday 1 December 1997
Present:
Dr. Péter Hanák Hungary (Sec General) - Chair
Mr. Håkan Strömberg Sweden (Host 1994)
Dr. Ries Kock Netherlands (Host 1995)
Dr. László Zsakó Hungary (Host 1996)
Mr. Lionel Hartmann South Africa (Host 1997)
Dr. António Caleço Portugal (Host 1998)
Dr. Göktürk Üçoluk Turkey (Host 1999)
Prof. Hongxi Xue China (Host 2000)
Prof. Stanislaw Waligorski Poland (Elected Member)
Dr. Mohammad Ghodsi Iran (Elected Member)
Prof. Donald Piele USA (Elected Member)
By Invitation:
Dr Tom Verhoeff Netherlands International Secretariat
Mr Per Stilborg South Africa IOI'97 Executive Committee
In Attendance:
Mr Donald Cook South Africa
Mr Peter Waker South Africa
Observers:
Portugal (2) Turkey (2) China (2)
1. Welcome
Péter Hanák welcomed all and thanked them for their attendance. He said it was the largest IC gathering since March 1997. He then handed the Chairmanship over to Lionel Hartmann, incoming Secretary-General.
2. Apologies
None.
3. Previous Minutes
Letters of Commitment: Ries Kock to send letter from Turkey to Tom Verhoeff. It was agreed that all future letters would be filed and passed from Chairman to Chairman. It was also agreed that a central archive be created in the IOI Secretariat for letters of recommendation.
Action (on letter from Turkey): Ries Kock
Development Teams: Lionel Hartmann said Botswana and Mozambique were participating this year. Zimbabwe had accepted the invitation but were unfortunately not present. He had tried very hard to bring in other African countries but the necessary structures were generally not in existence. He will continue trying.
Further Invitations: Various members reported having made contact with Norway, Iceland, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia and Japan, of which, positive responses were received from New Zealand, Australia and Japan.
Proposal to Amend Rules: It was agreed to table (as one item) the age/tertiary education issue at Friday's GA meeting. Per Stilborg, Péter Hanák and delegation leaders from Mexico and Germany to meet and discuss this before Friday.
Action: Per Stilborg and Péter Hanák
Note: Existing rules to remain in force for IOI '98.
Stanislaw Waligorski's suggestion to delay a final decision on this (until next year) was accepted.
Books: Tom Verhoeff reported having notified the IC. This will be tabled as an agenda item at Friday's meeting. Tom to produce brief report on current status of website.
Action: Tom Verhoeff
Contact Information Data Base: Per Stilborg to forward IOI '97 database details to Portugal and Secretariat to e-mail a file with changes. Database to be forwarded from Secretariat to Secretariat in future.
Action: Per Stilborg
IOI Statistics: It was agreed to formulate a method by which to make available previous year's results on the web. Suggestions to be tabled at Friday's meeting.
Action: Stanislaw Waligorski, Péter Hanák, Ries Kock
Note: Göktürk Üçoluk raised the issue of the necessity for participants' authorisation being given prior to proceeding with this process and this will be taken into consideration.
Political Issues: Lionel Hartmann reported that he had been involved in several meetings with Government representatives of China and Taiwan (ROC) and that the political issues had been resolved. No problems were anticipated in respect of Hong Kong and Macau. The invitation to FYROM had been extended on the agreed basis and they were present. No sensitivity had been picked up in respect of Cyprus.
Guidelines for Organising an IOI: Lionel Hartmann stated that these would be issued in his report to be released mid-Feb '98. Göktürk Üçoluk reported that he was preparing a master plan which he would forward to Tom Verhoeff after translation.
Action: Göktürk Üçoluk
4. Matters Arising
Potential Host Nations: Lionel Hartmann reported that Thailand wished to withdraw their intention to host IOI in 2001. Various members reported having received indications of willingness to host from Finland, Israel, Brunei, Greece (2004) and Ireland. It was agreed that Ries Kock and Péter Hanák would meet with representatives from each of the 5 countries this week and report back on Friday.
Item 9 of Agenda to be amended to read: Potential Host Nations.
Action: Ries Kock and Péter Hanák
5. Report from Future Host Nations
5.1 PORTUGAL - 1998
António Caleço introduced his team and called on Alexandre Cerveira of the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal to provide a report. Significant points were:
Dates: 5 - 12 September 1998 in Setúbal.
Sponsorship has already been granted to cover 85% of total budget.
An organisation has agreed to loan all the required equipment.
Date for next IC meeting: 9 - 13 March (5 sessions will be required).
António Caleço said he was already calling for indications of participation.
The first newsletter, brochure and preliminary registration forms were tabled.
The Chairman congratulated Portugal on a high quality presentation and material.
5.2 TURKEY - 1999
Göktürk Üçoluk provided the following summary:
Turkish National Council of Research is in charge of IOI '99.
Dates: 1st or 2nd week October 1999 (provisionally).
One of the largest telecommunications suppliers in Turkey, Netas, has agreed to supply computers and will be a sponsor.
Location will no longer be in Istanbul, but a seaside resort in Antalia which has tourist quality accommodation and all necessary facilities. The town has a university and a newly completed conference centre. The intention is to make an agreement with this resort.
Politically, there is no longer concern regarding the fundamentalist organisations in Turkey.
The situation in respect of Cyprus remains the same but efforts will continue to improve this.
5.3 CHINA - 2000
Prof Xue stated that his team were still in the planning stages and that a decision regarding destination had not yet been finalised.
6. Report from Committee on Future Competition Environments
Tom Verhoeff proposed that IOI regulations be amended in such as way as to prescribe the format of the contest without referring to specific technical details as these may change from year to year. This would allow the Scientific Committee of the host country to give a proposal as to how they will conduct their contest. Dr Verhoeff proposed a gradual incremental approach. It was agreed that the "Basic" programming language and all derivatives be dropped for 1998 - Portugal in agreement. A document will be tabled for discussion on Friday.
Action: Tom Verhoeff, Stanislaw Waligorski, Göktürk Üçoluk , Donald Cook
The meeting was adjourned to Friday 5 December 1997 at 16:00
INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIAD IN INFORMATICS
Minutes of the Meeting of the International Committee - IC 97/2
Room 4D, Leslie Social Sciences Building, University of Cape Town
16:00 Friday 5 December 1997
Present:
Mr. Lionel Hartmann South Africa (Sec General) - Chair
Dr. Péter Hanák Hungary (Host 1996)
Mr. Håkan Strömberg Sweden (Host 1994)
Dr. Ries Kock Netherlands (Host 1995)
Dr. László Zsakó Hungary (Host 1996)
Dr. António Caleço Portugal (Host 1998)
Dr. Göktürk Üçoluk Turkey (Host 1999)
Prof. Hongxi Xue China (Host 2000)
Prof. Stanislaw Waligorski Poland (Elected Member)
Dr. Mohammad Ghodsi Iran (Elected Member)
Prof. Donald Piele USA (Elected Member)
By Invitation:
Dr Tom Verhoeff Netherlands International Secretariat
Mr Per Stilborg South Africa IOI'97 Executive Committee
In Attendance:
Mr Donald Cook South Africa
Mr Peter Waker South Africa
Observers:
Portugal (2) Turkey (2) China (2) Cyprus (1)
1. Welcome
Lionel Hartmann welcomed all and thanked them for their attendance.
2. Apologies
None.
3. Previous Minutes
Amendments:
1. It was noted that Prof. Alexandre Cerveira was not from the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, but Chairman of IOI '98.
Proposal to Amend Rules:
Per Stilborg reported that he and Péter Hanák had been unable to meet with delegation leaders from Mexico and Germany but stated that communication would take place with them via e-mail. It was agreed that a draft document would be prepared by the 4 parties by 31 January '98 for immediate circulation to all IC members for input thereafter. This will be an agenda item for IC meeting in March '98.
Action: Per Stilborg, Péter Hanák
IOI Statistics:
As time had not allowed for anything to be tabled at this meeting, it was agreed that the working group would prepare a document for circulation to all IC members by not later than 31 January 1998. Agenda item for IC meeting in March.
Action: Stanislaw Waligorski, Péter Hanák, Ries Kock
Report from Committee on Future Competition Environments:
Tom Verhoeff reported having discussed this with several delegates. He suggested that a Contest Board, made up of Chairmen of Scientific Committees, be established which would advise IC on contest matters. Göktürk Üçoluk and Donald Piele expressed serious reservations regarding the establishment of such a board. It was agreed that Tom would circulate his report, incorporating their views to all IC members for discussion at IC meeting in March.
Action: Tom Verhoeff
4. Matters Arising
A letter received from David Ginat of Israel was tabled. It read:
"As a consequence of the controversial experience in IOI '97, where some people thought that there were too many questions whose solution involved heuristics, I suggest: In future IOI competitions, at least 3 (maybe even 4) of the 6 questions; that is, questions whose solution is proved to be optimal and correct for all legal data sets."
It was agreed that this document would be included as part of the input for Tom Verhoeff's research (refer 4 above).
5. Potential Host Nations
2001: Ries Kock reported having held discussions with the 5 countries in question during the course of the week. He reported that Finland had expressed a strong desire to host IOI 2001 and distributed copies of a letter received from their National Board of Education & University of Tampere requesting that they be considered. Ries proposed that a letter be addressed to the Finnish Ministry of Education, inviting them to host in 2001 (Lionel Hartmann to prepare and despatch). Unanimous support from all IC members was granted for this proposal.
Action: Lionel Hartmann
2003: U.S.A.
2004: It was agreed to advise Greece in writing that they would be invited to host IOI 2004, subject to their meeting IC requirements in terms of funding and support.
Action: Lionel Hartmann
6. Contestant Eligibility Conditions
Péter Hanák reported having discussed this issue with many delegates during the week. The general consensus was that the age of 20 should remain as well as the cut off date of 1 July. However, the Secondary/Tertiary education issue still needed to be resolved. Per Stilborg distributed his findings headed "Contestant Eligibility Conditions". As no resolution could be drawn from the ensuing discussion, it was agreed that Per Stilborg and Péter Hanák would conduct research and report findings in March.
Action: Per Stilborg, Péter Hanák
7. Political Issues
In support of the participation of Cyprus in 1999, a representative of Cyprus stated that countries who are accepted for participation in the Olympic Games should be accepted for participation in IOIs. A discussion between himself and Göktürk Üçoluk followed but, due to insufficient time, it was not resolved within the meeting that day.
The meeting was adjourned to Saturday 6 December at 16:30
INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIAD IN INFORMATICS
Minutes of the Meeting of the International Committee - IC 97/2
Room 4D, Leslie Social Sciences Building, University of Cape Town
16:30 Saturday 6 December 1997
Present:
Mr. Lionel Hartmann South Africa (Se General) - Chair
Dr. Péter Hanák Hungary (Host 1996)
Dr. Ries Kock Netherlands (Host 1995)
Dr. László Zsakó Hungary (Host 1996)
Dr. António Caleço Portugal (Host 1998)
Dr. Göktürk Üçoluk Turkey (Host 1999)
Prof. Hongxi Xue China (Host 2000)
Prof. Stanislaw Waligorski Poland (Elected Member)
Dr. Mohammad Ghodsi Iran (Elected Member)
Prof. Donald Piele USA (Elected Member)
By Invitation:
Dr Tom Verhoeff Netherlands International Secretariat
In Attendance:
Mr Peter Waker South Africa
Observers:
Portugal (2) Turkey (2) China (2)
1. Welcome
Lionel Hartmann welcomed all and thanked them for their attendance.
2. Apologies
Mr Per Stilborg South Africa IOI '97 Executive Committee
Mr. Håkan Strömberg Sweden (Host 1994).
3. Previous Minutes
Potential Host Nations:
Ries Kock distributed a copy of a letter he proposed be sent to the Finnish Ministry of Education, as agreed at the previous meeting. His letter was approved for sending by the Secretary General.
Action: Lionel Hartmann
4. Political Issues (continued from previous day's meeting)
Ries Kock distributed a letter he had written, which he proposed be sent to the relevant parties in Cyprus, from the Secretary General. It read:
It has come to the attention of the International Committee that difficulties might arise during the IOI of 1999 in Turkey, with the participation of Cyprus. This matter has been discussed at length by the IC and some participating delegates. The following proposal has been made: During the IOI in 1999, the team leader of the Cyprus delegation will be Mr Ries Kock of The Netherlands, at this moment, member of the IC. The two sides of Cyprus will each send a delegation consisting of a deputy team leader and two students. These seven individuals will together form the Cyprus delegation. No flags or hymns will be used for the duration of the competition. The IC wholeheartedly recommends this proposal, so that we might have the participation of students from Cyprus"
This proposal met with the unanimous approval of the IC and Göktürk Üçoluk stated that he felt very positive about it and would do all in his power to take the matter to his government.
Action: Lionel Hartmann
5. General
Membership - International Committee:
Lionel Hartmann indicated that as a result of his becoming Secretary General, a vacancy had arisen for a representative from South Africa. He proposed that this vacancy be filled for the ensuing year by Per Stilborg. This proposal was unanimously accepted. The Chairman further raised the possibility of co-option of additional members to the Committee and, in view of the affirmative reaction of the IC members, proposed that Peter Waker be co-opted. This was approved. (No rights of co-option exist in the rules and regulations and this matter will have to be clarified at the next IC meeting. It is felt that the position of a representative of IFIP would be similar to that of Tom Verhoeff, who represents the International Secretariat by invitation but who has no voting rights.)
Lionel Hartmann stated that In terms of the IC rules, the membership of Sweden (hosts '94) terminated at this meeting and a representative for Finland (host 2001) needs to be identified.
Action: Lionel Hartmann
It was agreed that procedures needed to be put in place to ensure that rotation of elected members of IC takes place. It was further agreed that a formal proposal to take care of this issue be tabled at the IC meeting in March, which would ensure that overlapping of membership takes place. It was the feeling of the Committee that members should be elected for fixed periods of time, after which their membership could either terminate or they would be re-elected should they wish to make themselves available. To ensure continuity and to get the maximum benefit out of their experience, the procedures should be designed in such a way that not all elected members would be retired at the same time. A formal proposal will be tabled on this issue by Per Stilborg in March '98.
Action: Per Stilborg
The Chairman, on behalf of the International Committee, expressed his heartfelt thanks for the wonderful contribution made over many years to the Committee and the Olympiad by Mr. Håkan Strömberg, who always played a most constructive and positive role in the affairs of the Olympiad and whose wise counsel would be sorely missed in future. These sentiments were unanimously endorsed by all members of the Committee.
IOI Research
Tom Verhoeff confirmed that he would make the results of the research he had conducted at IOI '97 available to members.
Action: Tom Verhoeff
Rules and Regulations:
Péter Hanák suggested that for IOI '98 Portugal holds a GA meeting to discuss competition rules before the first competition day. This was agreed.
Stanislaw Waligorski suggested that during the evaluation procedure, every delegation leader should be given the opportunity to put comments on the protocol, following which the Scientific Committee would have to react to these in writing. Leaders should then have the opportunity to approach GA with complaints and GA would have to react. Timing of GA meetings should therefore allow for this procedure to be complied with and Rules should be accordingly amended.
Péter Hanák stated that a chapter was missing from the Rules regarding proportion of tasks involving heuristics and the evaluation procedure.
It was agreed that Per Stilborg review the existing Rules on all these issues and put forward a paper for discussion at the next IC meeting in March.
Action: Per Stilborg
Contest Board:
Following on from the discussion at the previous meeting, Tom Verhoeff indicated that Delegation Leaders with whom he had spoken were not in support of the establishment of such a board. It was agreed to continue the discussion in March.
Preparation of Problems:
It was suggested that at the IC meeting in March '98, Portugal should put forward a brief outline of the types of problems they intend using in the tasks for IOI '98. Several members expressed reservations regarding this suggestion. It was therefore agreed that a committee consisting of 3 members take responsibility for proposing procedures that Portugal should follow as an experiment to avoid the problems that occurred during IOI '97. If this experiment is successful, it will be put into practice for future IOI's.
Action: Péter Hanák, Stanislaw Waligorski, Tom Verhoeff
6. Closure
The Chairman thanked members for their inputs and declared the meeting closed. The next meeting would take place in Setúbal, Portugal from 9-13 March 1998.