The UIS Mathematical Olympiad broke the registration record, reaching 15,855 students from 270 educational institutions in 85 municipalities in Colombia, of whom 184 reached the final phase. Teachers, students, parents, and administrators expressed their satisfaction with the challenge they had taken on. Those who reached this point in the competition took the test over the weekend, which revealed the top five places in the three levels of the competition: elementary, intermediate, and advanced.
Professor Ronald Eduardo Paternina Salguedo, director of the UIS School of Mathematics, in addition to congratulating the finalists and winners, invited them to be part of the family of this institution, which is committed to projects that impact the educational communities of the region and the country.
For his part, the Director of Admissions and Academic Records, Juan Camilo Londoño Sánchez, emphasized that the presence at the closing ceremony is a testament to the talent of the country’s children, who see mathematics as a powerful tool for problem-solving.
The Olympics organizers recognized the discipline and dedication of each of this year’s finalists and presented a certificate of participation to these students, who came from various departments to participate, accompanied by their parents and teachers.
During the closing ceremony and awards ceremony held in the Luis A. Calvo auditorium, the top five winners were announced, receiving prizes such as tablets, smartwatches, and first place, a laptop.
As a result of his effort and dedication, Juan Esteban Triana Ramírez achieved first place in the elementary level of the Olympiads. He said he was “very happy. This has always been my dream. I think practicing all these months and years has paid off. I like math because it really activates the brain. It’s a great opportunity, and it lets you delve into this world of math and participate in more, and it gives you opportunities… My parents always supported me. I feel very happy.”
Meanwhile, Camilo Angarita Zambrano, a third-grader, discovered his passion for math by participating in the UIS Math Olympiad. In this competition, he won the gold medal in the middle level. He expressed: “For me, it means that I’m doing well and that what I try to improve in math every day is working. It means that every mistake was worth it.” I like math because I find it interesting to solve problems. Every problem is a challenge. I am grateful for the support of my parents and the San Pedro Claver School in Bucaramanga.”
Sofía González Nossa, from the Regio Amelia School in Bucaramanga, placed first in the advanced level. She was unable to attend the closing ceremony, but the school’s directors received the certificate, medal, and award on her behalf.
This event, which impacts the educational community of the country’s secondary schools, has the support of the Rector’s Office, Academic and Administrative Vice-Rector’s Offices, the Admissions and Academic Registry Office, and the Dean’s Office of the Faculties of Science and Physical and Chemical Engineering.
Professor Sandra Judith Vergara, Dean of the Faculty of Physical and Chemical Engineering, said, “We have been working in concert on this emblematic project of the UIS. The impact the university has is very important. We take advantage of these opportunities to promote our programs, since potential engineers are present here. It is a motivational space.” It’s exciting to see students and professors, and as a support, they were also given materials to work on workshops and experiences about the faculty’s programs in their classrooms.”
Finally, from the program’s coordination, Professor Jorge Eliécer Gómez Ríos mentioned that “we continue to await all the participants in new editions. We increasingly see more schools and municipalities from more remote regions participating, and that’s what we also want: for the UIS to reach various institutions and for children, schools, and families to see a future in the university. We invite them to the elementary school Olympiad that begins in the second semester.”
