The Flemish Mathematics Olympiad is a competition that began almost 40 years ago, focusing on the second and third grades of secondary education. With 25,000 participants, it is the largest competition of its type in Flanders. This year’s award ceremony took place on 24 May in Aula Q of the VUB campus in Etterbeek.
The Olympiad consists of three rounds: the first takes place in schools in January, with 25,000 children taking part. The second round continues at Flemish universities in March, where about 2,000 pupils pit their wits against each other. The last 150 take part in the final at the end of April, which alternates between Leuven and Brussels.
Japan
The top three in the competition make up the Flemish half of the Belgian team that will travel to the International Mathematics Olympiad, taking place in Japan from 2 to 13 July.
The competition consists of mathematical questions that aim to challenge and excite pupils, showing them the fun in mathematics. All Flemish universities are keenly involved. It offers them opportunities to connect with talented pupils, who are also potential future students.
Tradition at Don Bosco Halle
Tom Amijs studied mathematics at VUB. It was a passion passed on from his father, a maths teacher at the Don Bosco institute in Halle. Today, Tom teaches maths to the new generation, like Robbe Modrie, who will study civil engineering at VUB next year.