Kushtia:The 17th National Undergraduate Mathematics Olympiad 2026 commenced on Friday at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia, with participation from students across various universities and colleges in the Khulna region.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the event was inaugurated by IU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr AKM Motinur Rahman, who officiated the ceremony as the chief guest at 10 a.m., marked by the release of balloons and pigeons at the university's central football field. The IU mathematics department organized the regional round of the Olympiad in association with the Bangladesh Mathematical Society and the A.F Mujibur Rahman Foundation.
The ceremony was led by science Faculty Dean Prof Dr Asaduzzaman, with Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Amtaj Hossain and Treasurer Prof Dr Idris Ali attending as special guests. Dr Manirul Alam Sarker from BUET, a member of the National Undergraduate Mathematics Olympiad Committee, was also present as an invited guest.
Participants, who comprised undergraduate and equivalent-level students from universities and colleges across 10 districts in the Khulna division, undertook a 120-minute examination in English. The test consisted of eight mathematical problems, each worth 10 marks, totaling 80 marks. Successful candidates from this regional round will advance to the national final, scheduled for December 4 at Dhaka University. The top performers at the national level will earn the chance to represent Bangladesh in the International Mathematics Competition in 2027.
IU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr AKM Motinur Rahman emphasized the importance of mathematics beyond academia, describing it as foundational to science, technology, and logical thinking. He highlighted the necessity of fostering a strong interest in mathematics among students to develop a knowledge-based and technologically advanced society, especially in the digital and artificial intelligence era.