The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is thrilled to announce that Tang Dao Mian, a Diploma in Information and Communications Technology (Data Informatics) student, has emerged as the Champion of the “Theory of Everything” category in the 17th National Mathematics Competition 2024 (NMCXVII).

With this remarkable achievement, Dao Mian secured the prestigious “Ironmath” Trophy, the highest honour of the competition. Mentored by Mr Saw Looi Beng, Senior Lecturer of the School of Mathematics, Actuarial and Quantitative Studies (SoMAQS), Dao Mian and his nine uni-mates represented APU in three categories of this competition.

Held at the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Sungai Long Campus on 6th July 2024, the competition was organised by the university’s Mathematics Society and drew over 150 participants from various educational institutions. The three competition categories were “Theory of Everything,” “The Running Maths,” and “The Mathketeers.” Among his peers, Dao Mian excelled and emerged as the champion. He shared some of his participation experiences to inspire his juniors.

“At first, I noticed that the scope of questions for the ‘Theory of Everything’ category contained several topics that were foreign to me. This immediately put me at a heavy disadvantage against other competitors who were more well-versed in these topics. Therefore, bridging the gap of understanding and familiarity in those topics was crucial to have a better chance on the day of the competition,” he recalled.

However, learning the ins and outs of those topics proved to be a difficult task for Dao Mian, especially given the short preparation time frame to become well-versed in such vast topics. “Nevertheless, I studied those topics during my free time and managed to grasp some of the fundamentals. While still having many rough edges, it was at least good enough to answer a good portion of the questions, or at least make an educated guess on the answers,” he shared.

As for the winning factors, while Dao Mian’s prior experiences and insight in the field of mathematics were major contributors, he believes that a small portion of the success stems from luck, as some errors were made in answering competition questions. Narrating as a Data Informatics student, he admitted that his mathematics skill set has helped him understand some of the more practical topics thoroughly, and he realised that some fields in mathematics can be integrated to solve real-life problems.

“As such, I can foresee math skills continuing to be relevant in my field of studies and bringing me far,” he concluded.

On his student’s achievement, Mr Saw commented, “Dao Mian’s achievement is a reflection of his hard work, determination, and passion for mathematics. His ability to adapt and overcome the challenges presented by the competition is truly commendable. I am incredibly proud of his success and confident that he will continue to excel in his future endeavours. His story is an inspiration to all students, showcasing that with dedication and effort, any challenge can be overcome.”

The Head of SoMAQS Associate Professor Dr Rajasegeran Ramasamy remarked, “We would like to congratulate Dao Mian for proving his acumen in mathematics. Well done! His journey and success are a testament to the importance of perseverance, dedication, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge. Let Dao Mian’s story inspire the younger generation to embrace the power of mathematics and unlock their potential.”