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Four ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Students Compete in International Physics Competition

(Physics League Across Numerous Countries for Kick-ass Students) is a prestigious annual international physics competition for undergraduate and masters students organised by (the International Association of Physics Students).

The 2026 edition was held between 21 and 25 May in Eindhoven, a global hub for technology and innovation in The Netherlands, and home to major companies such as Philips and ASML. In attendance were over 200 of the top physics students from around the world, including countries such as Germany, China, Mexico, and Morocco.

The Maltese team was composed of four ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ undergraduate physics students: Amy Aquilina, Claire Casha, Michael Hall, and Sabrina Pace. 

Under the guidance of Prof. Apollaro from the Department of Physics, the team attended a number of intensive preparatory sessions prior to the competition. The four-hour exam consisted of nine challenging problems from different branches of physics, each written by internationally renowned academics, designed to test both foundational knowledge and out-of-the-box thinking. Aside from the competition itself, the programme included a site visit to a leading photonic chip laboratory at the University of Twente, as well as a number of guest lectures at the Eindhoven University of Technology. It even concluded with an enlightening outing to the historical Philips museum.

Reflecting on their experience, the team members expressed how honoured they felt to represent Malta at such a prestigious competition. The trip granted each of them an opportunity to connect with a diverse community of like-minded peers, while also gaining valuable insight into the ever-evolving field of possibilities and career paths that lay ahead.

The team is deeply grateful to Prof. Apollaro from the Department of Physics at the Faculty of Science for their support. In addition, the students would like to thank the for their part in organising this opportunity, and hope that their experience encourages others to continue pursuing physics at the University of Malta.

PLANCKS 2027 will be held next May in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. More information can be found .