Search
Filters

SA Learners performs well at International Mathematical Olympiad

Monday, 26 July 2021

Last week, six high school learners participated in the 62nd International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), sponsored by Old Mutual and the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Russia, the host country, announced the results during the virtual closing ceremony on Saturday, 24 July 2021. The South African team walked away with three bronze medals and one honourable mention.

 

The three bronze medals went to Kerry Porrill (Grade 12) from Cannon's Creek Independent School, Juliette Roux (Grade 11) from Herschel Girls' High School, and Yi Lou (Grade 12) from St. Peter's College. Emmanuel Rassou (Grade 11) from SACS earned an honourable mention.

 

Juliette also received an award for the Best Girl in Africa, winning a Mirzakhani Prize (named after Fields Medal winner Maryam Mirzakhani). She is tied in sixth (6th) place out of the 63 girls that competed in the IMO.

 

"South Africa has been taking part in the IMO since 1992," says Dr Liam Baker, a lecturer in mathematics at the University of Stellenbosch. Baker, a former IMO medallist, is also the team leader and training coach for the South African team. "Over the years, learners achieved one gold medal, nine silver medals, 52 bronze medals, and 67 honourable mentions. This year's paper was much harder overall and I am rather proud of the team."

Prof Kerstin Jordaan, Executive Director at the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF), says: "Given that mathematics education is facing so many challenges nationwide, I am genuinely proud of the team's performance this year. While the World Economic Forum report of 2017/18 states that South Africa ranks 128th out of 137 countries for its mathematics and science education quality, the South African team ranked 60th out of the 107 countries that participated in this year's IMO."

The People's Republic of China finished in first place, followed by the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea. For more results, visit the IMO's official website at https://www.imo-official.org/

Jordaan says that "the team's performance is a testimony of the success of the learner development programmes that the SAMF organises for primary and high schools and universities. According to Jordaan, the competitions are designed as a vehicle to improve the quality of mathematics. "They are so much more than competitions with top achievers. They touch the lives of thousands. They stimulate interest in the subject and identify and develop mathematical potential. Participation in these programmes expands the mathematical skills and knowledge of individuals that will last way beyond the sparkle of the trophy, medal or certificate. It makes a difference in the real lives of real people living in the real world."

The closing ceremony of the 62nd International Mathematical Olympiad was broadcast live on YouTube, and you can watch it via this link: https://youtu.be/LHi_xjvLEbI?t=686 

Leave your comment