On June 7, during the 6th annual celebration of Mathematics Day (Pi Day) in Rwanda, the Department of Mathematics in the College of Science and Technology at the University of Rwanda (UR) and AIMS Rwanda recognized 23 students for their exceptional performance in various mathematics competitions.

Out of the 23 laureates, 11 were participants in the senior level of the Rwanda Mathematics Competitions, seven excelled in the junior category, and five stood out at the East Africa Mathematics Olympiad (EAMO) held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The standout performers in the Rwanda Mathematics Competition were each rewarded with Rwf150,000. The victors of the EAMO were given USD$200 (approximately Rwf250,000), and the remaining participants received USD $100 (around Rwf125,000).

These students, who were coached by the Math Olympiad team, went through several stages and selections to ultimately participate in these competitions. Various tests, such as the Rwanda Math Competitions (RMC) at both junior and senior levels, were conducted nationwide. A final group of 120 junior level students and 80 senior level students were chosen for training and preparation through math camps at AIMS Rwanda.

The students are prepared for three annual competitions: the International Math Olympiad (IMO), the Pan-African Math Olympiad (PAMO), and EAMO.

Rwandan students have a history of success in these competitions, as evidenced by their first-place finish in EAMO with one gold and three silver medals in 2023. In the same year, Rwanda ranked fourth among 32 participating countries in PAMO, an event hosted in Rwanda. The students also received three honors in IMO.

This year’s IMO and PAMO will include students from Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare, Maranyundo Girls School, Ecole des Science de Byimana, and others.

In recognition of Rwanda’s potential and to further prepare, these students will participate in a 3-week international math camp in China and the UK this June. We look forward to achieving more success in this year’s competitions.