Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) has announced that twelve Kenyan students will represent the country at two of the world’s most prestigious Mathematics tournaments.
According to CEMASTEA, six students will participate in the 65th edition of the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) from 11 July 2024 to 22 July 2024.
The contest will be held at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom and will have participants from over 100 countries in North America, Europe, and Asia, including Canada, the USA, China, India, and South Korea.
CEMASTEA National Trainer in charge of Coding Martin Mungai also indicated that 6 other Kenyan students will compete in the 37th Pan African Mathematics Olympiad that will be hosted at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in South Africa from August 10, 2024 to August 20, 2024.
Further, he revealed that over 1,000 students participating in the two contests will be tested in various topics, including Algebra, Geometrics, Calculus, number theory, combinatorics, and advanced problem-solving techniques.
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Mungai explained that the 12 students were best overall in this year’s Kenya Mathematics Olympiad that is organised annually from 2022 by CEMASTEA in partnership with the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing from the University of Waterloo Canada and the University of Nairobi.
He also revealed that 24 other Kenyan students had participated in the Second edition of the East African Mathematical Olympiad, organized by the Uganda Mathematical Society on April 24, 2024.
“Participating in such an event is a thought provoking, challenging and motivating experience. It not only raises the students’ profiles for future career advancement but could also be an advantage for those aiming to join Ivy League universities such as Harvard.”
During the first round of the Kenya Mathematics Olympiad, held in May this year, 258 students from forms 1 and 2 countrywide were selected in the junior category after attaining the 116 cutoff points in a 60-minute mathematics examination.
Another 504 form 3 and 4 students were selected in the senior category, whose cutoff mark was 120 points.
Mungai stated that the annual competition aims to improve performance and promote excellence in mathematics among high school students in the country.
