Bangladesh shines in 56th int'l math Olympiad
Bangladesh has topped the list among all the South Asian countries in the 56th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), as the six-member Bangladesh team took home one silver and four bronze medals and an honorable mention from the prestigious competition.
Md Sanjeed Anwar from Mymensingh Anando Mohan College won the silver medal while Adib Hasan, Asif E Elahi, Sabbir Rahman and Sajid Akhter grabbed bronze medals, and M Nayeemul Islam took home the honorable mention.
This year the Bangladesh team’s total score was 97 and their rank is 33 among 114 teams, which is the brightest performance ever for the country in the international contest for young math talents.
Neighbouring country India’s position is at 37th while USA tops the list with 185 score followed by China, South Korea and North Korea.
The result of the contest was finalised on Tuesday night by the IMO judges.
The awards will be handed over to the winners on Tuesday at the closing programme of the 56th edition of the IMO.
Bangladesh has taken part in the IMO consecutively 11 times.
Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad Committee president Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury said, “It’s an extraordinary success for Bangladesh as our rank is higher than other South Asian countries including India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.”
“We are now getting results of Math Olympiad Committee’s efforts to select young talents from the grassroots levels. I congratulate and greet every member and coach of the team,” Jamilur Reza Choudhury added.
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, vice-president of Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad Committee said, “I am elated at the result but not surprised. I know our young generation can do anything if they are provided the opportunity.”
“We did nothing except inspiring them. But they gave us back a lot,” Zafar Iqbal added.
Congratulating Bangladesh team, KS Tabrez, managing director of Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited said, “It’s a great success and achievement for all of us. I hope Bangladesh will win gold medal next year. DBBL will be there for the team in future.”
Sanjeed got 21 to secure the silver medal for Bangladesh. Adib Hasan scored 17, Asif E Elahi 17, Sabbir Rahman 15, Sazid Akhter 14, and M Nayeemul Islam 13.
Bangladesh Math Olympiad coach and team leader Mahbub Majumder, however, expected better results from the team.
Mahbub thinks Adib and Sajid could have done better if they had not rushed unnecessarily.
The team leader expects Bangladesh team will cross its score above 100 next year.
The selection process for participating in the IMO is organised across the country through Dutch-Bangla-Prothom Alo Mathematics Festival.
And, the young math talents are selected by the Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad Committee. The math festival is sponsored by the DBBL and arranged by Prothom Alo.
The selection process for next year’s IMO participation will begin December this year.