Imperial Computing Team Shines in International Programming Contests

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Group of students posing for a photo

Reflecting on their experience, the team highlighted the unique thrill of competition and the intense problem-solving sessions

A team of dedicated students from Imperial’s Department of Computing has achieved outstanding results in competitive programming, marking one of the department’s strongest performances in the past decade.
Comprising Scott Loo, Jerome Leow, and Young Cao, the team began their journey with regular participation in Codeforces contests, sharpening their algorithmic skills before tackling larger competitions. Their hard work paid off at the ICPC UK & Ireland Programming Contest (UKIEPC), where they secured 6th place—the best result for Imperial in the last ten years. This success earned them a spot at the International Collegiate Programming Contest – Northwestern Europe Regional Contest (ICPC-NWERC), hosted in Delft, Netherlands, where they achieved an impressive 26th place against some of the best university teams in the region.

These achievements would not have been possible without the generous support of the Department of Computing, which fully funded the team’s participation and provided vital resources for their preparation. The students expressed their deep appreciation for the department’s commitment to fostering excellence in algorithmic problem-solving.

Reflecting on their experience, the team highlighted the unique thrill of competition—the intense problem-solving sessions, frantic scribbling of graphs and test cases, and the euphoria of receiving an ‘Accepted’ verdict after implementing a complex algorithm like a segment tree or dynamic programming approach.

Special thanks go to their coach, Yerzhan, whose expertise and guidance were instrumental in their success. Additionally, the team recognized coordinators Konstantinos and Nikolai for their dedication in organizing logistics and ensuring a seamless experience.
Beyond the contests, competitive programming has significantly enhanced their technical skills, helping with interview preparation, academic coursework, and industry readiness. The team hopes their success will inspire future Imperial students to push the boundaries even further—perhaps even reaching the ICPC World Finals in the years to come!

Their message to aspiring programmers? “If you’re considering getting into competitive programming, go for it, it is never too late! The skills you'll develop and the friendships you'll build will be truly priceless.”

The Department of Computing congratulates Scott, Jerome, and Young on their achievements and looks forward to supporting future generations of competitive programmers!

Reporter

Mr Ahmed Idle

Mr Ahmed Idle
Department of Computing