Medal for undergrad Oscar Hidalgo at prestigious international competition

An undergraduate student from the School of Mathematics has won a prize at a prestigious competition abroad.

Leeds student ambassador and mathematics representative, Oscar Hidalgo, has recently won the bronze medal at the 26th International Mathematics Competition for University Students, held at the American University in Bulgaria.

This is the first success for Leeds in this prestigious international competition, which has run for more than 25 years. It attracts some 360 students from over 50 countries, and is similar to the well-known International Mathematics Olympiad competition for pre-university students.

Hildago, currently entering his third year as an Actuarial Mathematics BSc student, began his preparation for the event under the supervision of Professor Daniel Lesnic from the Department of Applied Mathematics. Professor Lesnic has for the past three years coached one maths student per year to take part in it.

At the competition, two sets of five problems from Analysis, Algebra, Geometry and Combinatorics were required to be solved within five continuous hours each over two days.

Oscar's participation was supported by the Laidlaw scholarship. Based on the unique experience gained, now Oscar is more determined and likely to continue his career in academicia with postgraduate studies after graduation next year.