USM, PENANG, 20 December 2016 - The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Mathematical Sciences (PPSM) team emerged champions in the finals of the Public Universities' Mathematics Olympiad 2016, held at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

The Dean of PPSM, Professor Dr. Hailiza binti Kamarulhaili@Harun said, the preliminary rounds were held earlier at PPSM on 24 September 2016 and as it was held on such a short notice, only 2^nd year and 3^rd year students in Mathematics were invited to participate in the earlier rounds.

Six students joined the competition and four were selected to represent the USM team, namely Tan Qi Huan, Chan Mun Chun, Chin Chee Yaw and Wong Chin Fong.

The USM team emerged victorious in the 'teams' category, followed by the teams from Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in second and third place respectively.Director of Institute for Mathematical Research (INSPEM), Professor Dr. Noor Akma Ibrahim said, the OMUA 2016 Competition was held to provide pre-university students with an early exposure to Mathematics Olympiad at the university level.

"This also serves as an early preparation for the students to participate in the Simon Marais Mathematics Competition, organised by the Australian Mathematical Science Society, to be held in October 2017," she explained.

Meanwhile, Tan Qi Huan and Chan Mun Chun also won first and third placings in the individuals' category.

The winners took home cash prizes, trophies and certificates. Chin Chee Yaw and Wong Chin Fong both also received certificates awarded to the top 20 most commendable participants.

70 pre-university students from 16 public higher education institutions participated in this OMUA 2016 finals.

Held for the first time in Malaysia, this competition was organised by INSPEM, with the cooperation of the Malaysian Mathematical Science Society (PERSAMA) and the Malaysian Mathematical Science Scholars' Academy (AISMM).

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin