Uganda joins international mathematical Olympiad
Aug 02, 2011
UGANDA has been admitted into the international mathematical Olympiad, the annual world championship mathematics competition for high school students.
By Ronald Kalyango
UGANDA has been admitted into the international mathematical Olympiad, the annual world championship mathematics competition for high school students.
This means that next year, Uganda will send a team of eight people, including six students, a team leader and deputy to Argentina to participate in the competition.
“Uganda has always managed to send students for the competitions at the African continent level. But next year, we shall be able to compete in the international level,†said Dr. Cyrus Ssebugenyi, the chairperson of the Uganda Mathematics Association.
He noted that since its inception in 1959, the Olympiad has developed a rich legacy and has established itself as the pinnacle of mathematical competition between high school students.
Ssebugenyi, however, regretted that the country’s participation will depend on the availability of resources to pay for the air tickets, insurance and pocket money for the eight participants.
“We appeal to the Ministry of Education and Sports to bail us out in advance. Otherwise, we might loose the opportunity,†says Ssebugenyi.
He made the remarks over the weekend while addressing members of the mathematics society who had converged at Makerere University for this year’s prize giving ceremony for the winners of the mathematics contest.
Trevor Muzahura of Kampala Parents School was the best in the primary contest and Walter Nimusiima of Namlyango College in the O’level category.
Elvis Luswata of King’s College Budo was the best in A’level, while Brian Mwesige of Makerere University won the university contest.
The winners at primary and secondary levels were each given bursaries worth sh300,000, a certificate, plaque and text books.
Uganda Martyrs University vice chancellor, Rev. Dr. John Senyonyi, applauded the competitions, saying they would help the students to overcome the negative attitude they always attach to the subject.
“Whenever people talk about mathematics people want to shut their ears, forgetting that mathematics is foundational to virtually every discipline, most especially sciences,†noted Senyonyi.
UGANDA has been admitted into the international mathematical Olympiad, the annual world championship mathematics competition for high school students.
This means that next year, Uganda will send a team of eight people, including six students, a team leader and deputy to Argentina to participate in the competition.
“Uganda has always managed to send students for the competitions at the African continent level. But next year, we shall be able to compete in the international level,†said Dr. Cyrus Ssebugenyi, the chairperson of the Uganda Mathematics Association.
He noted that since its inception in 1959, the Olympiad has developed a rich legacy and has established itself as the pinnacle of mathematical competition between high school students.
Ssebugenyi, however, regretted that the country’s participation will depend on the availability of resources to pay for the air tickets, insurance and pocket money for the eight participants.
“We appeal to the Ministry of Education and Sports to bail us out in advance. Otherwise, we might loose the opportunity,†says Ssebugenyi.
He made the remarks over the weekend while addressing members of the mathematics society who had converged at Makerere University for this year’s prize giving ceremony for the winners of the mathematics contest.
Trevor Muzahura of Kampala Parents School was the best in the primary contest and Walter Nimusiima of Namlyango College in the O’level category.
Elvis Luswata of King’s College Budo was the best in A’level, while Brian Mwesige of Makerere University won the university contest.
The winners at primary and secondary levels were each given bursaries worth sh300,000, a certificate, plaque and text books.
Uganda Martyrs University vice chancellor, Rev. Dr. John Senyonyi, applauded the competitions, saying they would help the students to overcome the negative attitude they always attach to the subject.
“Whenever people talk about mathematics people want to shut their ears, forgetting that mathematics is foundational to virtually every discipline, most especially sciences,†noted Senyonyi.