38-year-old student wins special prize at National Math Olympiad

Anh Duy was one of 11 contestants who won special prizes in the exam, which took place on April 9-12 in Da Nang City. The exam had nearly 700 students with more than 800 registrations in the two subjects of algebra and analysis, a record in 30 years.

To win this award, candidates must be valedictorian in each subject or first prize in both subjects. Nguyen Le Duy belongs to the second case.

Mr. Duy said he has been passionate about math since middle school. But after finishing high school, he chose to study road and bridge construction at Hanoi University of Transport (campus 2 in Ho Chi Minh City) because many relatives worked in this profession.

After graduating, the Quang Ngai native stayed in Ho Chi Minh City to continue his master’s degree in bridge and road engineering and worked for a state-owned company. In 2015, Duy decided to return to his hometown to be closer to his family and was recruited into an agency in Quang Ngai City. During this time, he studied for a second degree in law at Da Nang University to serve his work.

In 2019, a close friend who was a math teacher suggested that Duy try tutoring this subject to some students. Duy found that he still remembered the formulas and solutions he had learned in high school. Being called "teacher" by his students made him even more excited and fond of this "side job".

In 2022, Duy quit his job, took the entrance exam for the mathematics pedagogy major at Pham Van Dong University, Quang Ngai province, and was admitted.

Thanks to having studied many math books and magazines since high school, Duy did not encounter many difficulties in studying. Right from his first year, he registered to participate in the National Math Olympiad for students and pupils, winning second prize in algebra. This school year, he won first prize in both algebra and analysis, making teachers and students in the school proud.

Mr. Duy said that the award was thanks to the guidance of the lecturers in the department, as well as the support of the school. He is grateful to the teachers for helping him find his passion again after a long period of "going around in circles".

Master of Mathematics Phan Ba ​​Trinh, senior lecturer at Pham Van Dong University, assessed Duy as dynamic, talented and passionate about mathematics. He also showed efforts in both studying and life.

According to Mr. Trinh, Duy's achievement is a great encouragement for the school, showing that despite being located in a remote province, the school is capable of training and nurturing excellent students. "This result also inspires students in the faculty to study and research," said Mr. Trinh.

Mr. Duy is currently both a student and a teacher. Therefore, most of his daily time is devoted to math.

"Math helps me balance my life after many events," Duy admitted. His hobby is going to coffee shops to both study and relax. Occasionally, he visits the school library to check out new editions of math magazines.