Bangladesh celebrates historic success at the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad

Six students, who brought home medals from the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Shanghai, China, were honoured at a grand reception in Dhaka on July 21.

The celebration programme, held at the University of Asia Pacific auditorium in Green Road, marked a historic milestone for Bangladesh. For the first time in the nation's history, all six members of the participating contingent secured medals, accumulating a total team score of 121, the highest in the country's IMO history. Competing against 117 nations, the Bangladesh team clinched one silver and five bronze medals, finishing 39th globally.

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The medalists honored at the event were Md Raihan Siddiquee of Chattogram College (Silver Medal); Tahsin Khan of Ananda Mohan College, Mymensingh (Bronze Medal); M Zamiul Hossain of Rajuk Uttara Model College (Bronze Medal); Jawad Hameem Chowdhury of Dhaka Imperial College (Bronze Medal); Monamy Zaman of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College (Bronze Medal); and Mohammed Marzuq Rahman of Chattogram Cantonment English School and College (Bronze Medal).

The programme commenced with the national anthem, followed by a minute of silence in commemoration of the deceased members of the Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad Committee. The event also introduced the committee's newly appointed members and concluded with guests presenting floral greetings to the triumphant students, who shared their inspiring experiences.

Prof Dr. Mohammad Ataul Karim – former Executive Vice Chancellor at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and keynote chief guest – emphasised that an IMO medal is not the end of a journey, but the beginning of grand dreams. He urged students to cultivate curiosity, courage, and lifelong learning, stressing that in the age of artificial intelligence, soft skills, leadership, and moral values are equally vital.

Matiur Rahman – Editor of Prothom Alo – described the Olympiad as a national movement fostering scientific and creative thinking, expressing hope that future generations will elevate Bangladesh to even greater heights on the world stage.

KM Mojibul Huq – Chairman, Board of Trustees, University of Asia Pacific – encouraged students to embrace teamwork, learn from mistakes, and build strong leadership qualities.

Md Sirajul Islam – Deputy Managing Director, Dutch-Bangla Bank – reaffirmed the bank's long-standing commitment to supporting the educational development and the Mathematical Olympiad in Bangladesh.

Prof BM Mainul Hossain – General Secretary of the Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad Committee and Director at the Institute of Information Technology, University of Dhaka –acknowledged the collective effort of academic teams, volunteers, organisers, and parents behind the historic success.

Munir Hasan – former General Secretary – highlighted in his welcome address that achieving a 100 percent medal success rate for the national team is an unprecedented milestone for the country.

Bangladesh officially joined the IMO in 2004. The country’s math Olympiad movement originated in 2001 through the "Neurone Onuronon" page of Prothom Alo’s “Biggan Projonmo”. To date, Bangladeshi students have earned one gold, eight silver and 45 bronze medals along with 47 honourable mentions on the global stage. The annual national selection and Olympiad events are organised by the Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad Committee, patronised by Dutch-Bangla Bank PLC, and managed comprehensively by Prothom Alo.