Proud winner: Gan waving the Malaysian flag after winning the gold and the bronze at the IGC in Vienna.
Young geographer also bags bronze in the Austrian Geography Exam, the first for a Malaysian
PETALING JAYA: Hyren Gan, 17, from Sri Damansara in Kuala Lumpur, brought honour to Malaysia at the International Geography Championships (IGC) in Vienna, clinching a gold and a bronze medal.
The competition, held from July 14-20, drew 310 of the world’s best young geographers.
Gan earned his gold by impressively crafting a policy proposal as the Iraqi delegate, focusing on the nation’s energy and oil consumption for 2024.
His ability also led him to a bronze medal in the Austrian Geography Exam, the first for a Malaysian.
To qualify for Vienna, Gan said he first had to pass a national qualifying exam in 2023, followed by a winning performance in the regional Asian qualifiers, an online challenge that secured his place at this year’s IGC.
He and another competitor proudly represented Malaysia in the contest with a diverse global assembly of participants.
Gan managed to fund his trip to Vienna using “ang pow” money and winnings from the Harvard Book Club.
Making his debut on the international platform, Gan’s triumph was a milestone for himself and Malaysia.
He said the preparation for the championships was challenging, particularly the physical geography section, which he initially found less compelling than cultural topics such as flags and languages. However, he dedicated himself to mastering various geographic terms and concepts.
“I think everyone should have some basic understanding of it because it’s important to know about different cultures, people, and the location of countries to broaden our horizons and gain more knowledge,” said Gan, who is passionate about the importance of geographic literacy.
From a young age, Gan has been a dedicated reader of The Star newspaper.
He said geography is intertwined with many fascinating elements of life including the splendour of natural landscapes, the charm of tourism, urban architecture, industrial development, political complexities, migration patterns, financial business dynamics, disaster mitigation and community planning.
“Geographic knowledge is woven into the daily news.
“A solid grasp of geography significantly aids our understanding of societal and global news stories. In today’s world, which is overloaded with information, it helps us quickly discern and understand news events that are most relevant or interesting to us.
“That’s the priceless benefit of regularly reading the newspaper,” he pointed out.
Gan also discusses geography’s role in enhancing social skills and cultural sensitivity, which are crucial for becoming a global citizen, particularly in Malaysia’s diverse society.
His multilingual ability – speaking Malay and Mandarin, mastering Portuguese, and now learning Spanish – complements his geographical interests and reinforces the value he places on cultural respect.
With Sarawak, Kedah, Perlis and Labuan already on his to-visit list, Gan, an avid traveller, aspires to visit every place in Malaysia he has read about.
Encouraging his peers to delve into geography, Gan said: “I want to illuminate how geography can be fun, educational, and contribute to one’s personal development.”
IGC is an annual event that brings together some of the finest young geography students from around the globe for a week-long series of geography-themed competitions and the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers.
It features categories for middle school, junior, and varsity participants based on age and school grade.
While multiple events occur within each category, only three medals (gold, silver, and bronze) are awarded for each event.
Students qualify for the IGC by participating in International Geography Bee and US Geography Championships events, their respective national championships, or through a qualifying exam, especially for those outside the contiguous United States.
The competitions at the IGC are designed to accommodate the broad and often qualitative nature of geography as a field of study.
