Until recently, Thaliana Braca Torres was convinced that her future was more closely linked to youth leadership and the social sciences than to mathematics.
From Puerto Carreño, Vichada, the 11th-grade student (2025) at María Inmaculada Educational Institution has stood out for her participation in student representation spaces and for promoting initiatives for young people in her region. However, a silver medal in the Mathematics Olympiads of the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) ended up changing the course of her story.
Today, she is preparing to represent Colombia at the Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad (SASMO) 2026, one of the most important academic competitions in the world.
“I always thought my strengths were more oriented toward the social and political sciences, so I never imagined achieving such an outstanding result in mathematics. This experience allowed me to discover abilities I did not know I had and taught me that we are often capable of much more than we believe,” she says.
For her, this opportunity means much more than a competition.
“Representing Colombia in Singapore is an immense honor and an opportunity to show that academic and scientific excellence can also be achieved from Vichada”.
A dream that found support
Although qualifying for the competition was a reason for celebration, another concern soon emerged: the financial resources needed to travel to Singapore.
For several months, Thaliana sought support to make her dream of representing Colombia abroad a reality.
The opportunity came during the launch of the Higher Education in Your School initiative, led by Colombia’s Ministry of Education and supported by the Industrial University of Santander, which was recently held in Vichada.
There, the young student had the opportunity to share her story with Education Minister Daniel Rojas Medellín and explain the financial difficulties she faced in participating in the international competition.
Her voice was heard.
During the event, the minister announced financial support that will allow her to travel to Singapore and represent Colombia.
“I felt a mix of happiness, relief, and excitement. It was a very special moment because I realized that all the effort had been worthwhile,” she recalls.
For Thaliana, the announcement meant much more than financial assistance.
“It shows that young people from remote regions like Vichada can be heard, recognized, and taken into account. For me, this represents hope and an opportunity to inspire many other students”.
A historic achievement for Colombia
Thaliana’s story is part of an unprecedented achievement driven by the Mathematics Olympiads of the Industrial University of Santander (OMU).
Thanks to the leadership and management of UIS, Colombia participated for the first time with an official delegation in SASMO 2026, achieving a historic result: 59 medals and 19 honorable mentions.
The Colombian delegation, made up of 137 students from different regions of the country, earned 15 gold medals, 17 silver medals, and 27 bronze medals, standing out in a competition that brought together participants from 52 countries and territories.
In addition, OMU’s efforts helped facilitate access to 100 scholarships granted by the international organization, expanding opportunities for Colombian students.
Preparing for Singapore
UIS’s support does not end with qualification for the competition.
As part of its commitment to academic excellence, the University will offer specialized training and tutoring sessions for the students traveling to Singapore. These sessions will be designed to strengthen their mathematical skills and prepare them for an international-level competition.
Dates and schedules will be announced next week, taking into account the availability of the participants.
The first representative from Vichada
For Thaliana, the trip carries special significance: she will be the first student from Vichada to participate in an international academic competition of this magnitude.
“This represents a great responsibility, but also enormous motivation. I hope this achievement opens doors for more young people in the region to participate in international academic spaces.”
Before embarking on her journey, she leaves a message for young people from remote regions across the country:
“The place where we are born does not determine how far we can go. If a young woman from Vichada was able to achieve this opportunity, many others can do it as well.”
In a few months, when she travels to Singapore, Thaliana will not only carry Colombia’s flag. She will also carry the hopes of a region that is proving that talent, discipline, and dreams know no boundaries.
