Deny Prince, a student at Hope Haven Christian School in Kigali, was crowned on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the competition held at the University of Witwatersrand.
He was one of six students from Rwanda who participated in the contest, which kicked off on August 10, 2024.
In addition to the gold medal, the Rwandan team, trained by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Rwanda, also secured a silver medal, three bronze medals, and several PAMO Girls Bronze Medals.
Thirty African countries participated in the competition, providing young talent with a platform to showcase their exceptional mathematics skills.
In a statement released on Tuesday, August, 20, AIMS Rwanda revealed that the victory at the competition followed a series of preparations done in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other partners.
The organisation and its partners conduct a rigorous selection process across secondary schools in Rwanda to identify top mathematical talent.
From an initial pool of approximately 40,000 students, a series of three competitive rounds whittled down the participants to a final team of 23 students who represent the nation in regional and international competitions.
AIMS Rwanda noted that the Rwandan team's journey to success began earlier in the year with a strong performance at the East African Mathematical Olympiad (EAMO), where they secured first place out of eight countries.
The team also participated in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), where the students gained valuable experience on the global stage, bringing home four honourable mentions.
'This remarkable outcome is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the students, as well as the collaborative efforts of AIMS Rwanda, the Ministry of Education, the University of Rwanda, the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA), Jane Street, and the University of Waterloo,' the organisation said in a statement.
Prof. Sam Yala, AIMS Rwanda Centre President and AIMS Network President, termed the victory a big win for Rwanda.
'We are proud of our students' achievements,' he said. 'This Gold medal is not just a victory for the team but for the entire nation. It demonstrates the immense potential of Rwandan youth in STEM fields. We are committed to nurturing these talents through our outreach activities, as we advance mathematical excellence in Rwanda.'
AIMS Rwanda identifies, trains, and coaches promising young mathematicians. Through its programs, the institute aims to contribute to the development of Rwanda's mathematical landscape.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/education/article/rwandan-student-wins-gold-at-math-contest-in-south-africa
