Gopalganj Science and Technology University (GSTU) hosted the Barishal regional round of the National Undergraduate Mathematics Olympiad for the first time on Friday, bringing together students from universities and government colleges across the region.
The 17th edition of the competition was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Mathematical Society and the AF Mujibur Rahman Foundation, with GSTU’s Department of Mathematics hosting the event.
The olympiad was inaugurated at 9:30am by university Pro-Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Ataur Rahman through the singing of the national anthem, the release of balloons and the freeing of pigeons as a symbol of peace.
Addressing participants, Rahman thanked the organisers and said mathematics was essential for developing intellectual abilities.
He described the olympiad as an important platform for identifying talented students nationally and selecting representatives for international competitions.
The preliminary competition divided the country into eight regions.
The Barishal round brought together students from four public and five private universities and 17 government colleges across 11 districts.
A total of 140 students registered for the competition.
The examination took place from 10am to noon. Results were announced and prizes distributed among the winners at 3pm.
Muhammad Minarul Islam, a professor in GSTU’s Department of Mathematics, served as convener of the regional event.
He said the university was delighted to host the national olympiad for the first time and had received widespread support from those involved.
He hoped the initiative would continue and develop into a larger mathematics festival in the coming years.
Among those attending were GSTU Science Faculty Dean Dipankar Kumar, Bangladesh Mathematical Society Vice-President and Jahangirnagar University Mathematics Department Professor Mahtab Uddin Ahmmed, Uttara University Mathematics Department Chairman Shahanshah Khan, Barishal University Professor Bijon Krishna Saha, Patuakhali Science and Technology University Professor Mohammad Masudur Rahman, Pirojpur Science and Technology University Associate Professor Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain and Government Brojomohun College Associate Professor Gautam Kumar Saha.
