- The University , Education
- 08/11/2024
It is the first time this unique prize has been awarded. The initiative was organized by University Fund Eindhoven (UFe). “One of our three pillars at UFe is fostering student talent and further developing it. This award aligns perfectly with that goal,” says Edith Snelders from UFe. “In addition, TU/e has been a longtime sponsor of the Dutch Mathematical Olympiad and the event also partly takes place here, so we’re very excited to make this possible.”
Five years
The total number of Olympiad winners was not five, but fifteen: five from VWO 6, five from VWO 5 and five from VWO 4 or below. Unfortunately for the younger students, only those from VWO 6 were offered a year of free study. “They will start studying next year, of course, so then they’ll be able to use the voucher right away,” explains Quintijn Puite, board member of the Dutch Mathematical Olympiad.
But there is still hope for the other ten winners. The award, officially called the UFe Math Olympiad Talent Grand, has been guaranteed for a minimum of five years. That means that once they reach VWO 6 and make it to the top five again, they will also receive the coveted voucher.
Who will be here on campus next year?
Puite is not yet sure how many of the winners will redeem their voucher for a free year of study. “Of course, not everyone is going to use it, but it does get people thinking,” he says. “There’s one winner I know for sure wants to study at TU/e next year. When I informed the five winners about the award by email, he was also the first to respond enthusiastically.”
The student in question is Robert Stepanyan (far left in the main photo). He is a familiar face at the Olympiad. “I’ve already competed five times,” he says with a laugh. For the last three years, he made it into the top five, and this year, that turned out to be particularly beneficial. Because, as it happens, Stepanyan was already planning to study at TU/e next academic year. “I plan to do a double bachelor’s in Applied Physics and Mathematics. I think it’ll be fun challenge.” Why at TU/e, specifically? “I also visited Delft, but Eindhoven felt right to me. And it’s close to home, which is a bonus.”
Not empty-handed
The winners who will not be using the voucher are not going home empty-handed. “The top five also receive a cash prize on behalf of the Dutch Association of Mathematics Teachers. It’s 250 euros for first place, 200 for second, et cetera,” Puite explains. “In addition, they also receive a certificate, several books, trophies and all kinds of goodies from our sponsors. So they’re definitely well rewarded.”
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