More than 500,000 students enter Tashkent maths Olympiad as STEM interest grows

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BEĞENDİM

ABONE OL

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More than half a million young competitors entered the preliminary rounds of this year’s Tashkent International Mathematics Olympiad (TasIMO) as growing demand for science and technology skills drives interest in mathematics competitions around the world.

The competition brought together 350 finalists from 13 countries at a mountain resort in the Tashkent region.

Organised by Nordic International University, TasIMO combines national qualifying rounds with an international final, where students compete in age-based categories designed to test mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills.

The competition brought together 350 finalists from 13 countries

Participants and jury members travelled from across Europe and Asia, in an increasingly international character of academic competitions focused on mathematics and science.

The event was held in a region deeply linked to the history of mathematics. Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, the ninth-century scholar widely regarded as one of the founders of algebra, was born in what is now Uzbekistan, while the word “algorithm” derives from the Latinised form of his name.

A gold medal and a wider message

16-year-old Martina Krasimirova from Sofia has attended every edition of the competition since its launch. This year, she completed her third consecutive appearance with a gold medal.

“This is my third time coming to this Olympiad. The problems have become harder and harder every year, which I really love,” she said.

16-year-old Martina Krasimirova from Sofia wond a gold medal

Krasimirova won the gold medal but to her the achievement carries significance beyond the result itself.

“I am a girl, and most people believe that maths is not for girls. It is not only here. It is everywhere in the world. Every time I win, I feel like I inspire some girls to try out and not be scared of mathematics,” she said.

Many education systems continue to face the challenge of underrepresentation of women in advanced mathematics and several STEM-related fields despite progress in recent years.

More than an examination

The competition is about more than just solving mathematical problems. Participants spend several days together discussing solutions, exchanging ideas and meeting peers from different countries who share similar interests.

Altai Beysan, who travelled from Kazakhstan for his first TasIMO, said those exchanges remained one of his strongest memories of the event.

“After the Olympiad, we shared our solutions, our thoughts, our expectations about our scores. That is the distinguishing atmosphere of Olympiads in general, and TasIMO gave this opportunity to feel it again,” Beysan said.

Students took part in sports competitions, team challenges and cultural activities

Alongside the mathematics contests, students took part in sports competitions, team challenges and cultural activities designed to encourage interaction between participants from different countries.

Ivan Chan, a jury member from Malaysia who also attended last year’s edition, said those activities played an important role in the overall experience.

“If you think from the perspective of the students, these activities are exactly what they needed to have a long-lasting, memorable experience,” he said.

Growing international interest

The rapid growth of TasIMO comes as many countries are investing more heavily in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education amid increasing demand for highly skilled specialists in fields ranging from engineering to AI.

Marek Murin, a jury member from Slovakia and a member of the problem selection committee, said both the academic and organisational aspects of the competition had evolved since his first participation.

“TasIMO is an emerging international Olympiad. It is very nice to see all of the hard work coming together, from the organisational perspective, from the problem selection committee, and from the students whose hard work is going to be rewarded accordingly,” he said.

Chan said competitions of this kind can also help encourage interest in mathematics and science.

“Such initiatives are great because they promote mathematical excellence and give out the message that students’ efforts and mathematical talents are being appreciated in this country. For a country that is developing to be competent in technology and science, this is crucial,” he concluded.