APU students Liu Kaihao and Tang Dao Mian earned national recognition after securing Third Place in Categories B and C, respectively, at the IDMUiTM Competition Mathematical Olympiad 2026, a prestigious national mathematics competition organised by UiTM.

Two students from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), Liu Kaihao and Tang Dao Mian, earned national recognition after securing Third Place in Category B and Category C respectively at the IDMUiTM Competition Mathematical Olympiad 2026, organised by the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor.

Held in conjunction with the International Day of Mathematics (IDM) 2026, the prestigious national competition celebrated this year’s theme, ‘Mathematics and Hope’, bringing together talented students from educational institutions across Malaysia to test their logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

The competition was conducted in several stages. Participants first competed in the online Qualifying Round on 25 April 2026 via Google Meet before advancing to the Final Round on 2 May 2026 at Dewan Al-Ghazali, UiTM Shah Alam. 

Winners were announced on 13 May 2026, followed by the official prize-giving ceremony held on 16 May 2026 at Pustaka Raja Tun Uda, Shah Alam.

Following a highly competitive selection process, 23 APU students advanced to the Final Round, where they competed against some of the nation’s brightest mathematical minds.

The impressive achievements of Liu Kaihao and Tang Dao Mian reflected not only their exceptional mathematical abilities but also the University’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and critical thinking skills among its students.

Rewarding journey of dedication, perseverance, and excellence

Commenting on the achievement, Associate Professor Dr Rajasegeran Ramasamy, Head of the School of Mathematics, Actuarial & Quantitative Studies (SoMAQ), expressed his positive view of the students’ success.

“We deeply appreciated our students’ outstanding performance in the Mathematical Olympiad 2026. Their achievements reflected not only strong mathematical competence but also dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence.

“Competitions such as this provide valuable opportunities for students to challenge themselves, strengthen their critical thinking skills, and showcase their talents on a national platform,” he said.

“We congratulate all participants, finalists, and especially our winners for bringing honour to APU.”

Reflecting on his achievement, Liu Kaihao, Engineering Foundation student, who secured Third Place in Category B, said the competition was both challenging and rewarding.

“To prepare for the competition, I practised past examination questions several times, although there were still some mathematical topics that I needed to improve on. Nevertheless, I took on the challenge, and it became a truly memorable experience.

“The competition pushed us to think critically under pressure and apply mathematical concepts in creative ways. It certainly lived up to my expectations and added value to what we have learned in our courses,” he said.

“Achieving Third Place was a rewarding accomplishment, and I am grateful for the support and encouragement provided by APU throughout the competition.”

Meanwhile, Tang Dao Mian, Financial Technology student, who secured Third Place in Category C, described the competition as a rewarding experience that allowed him to engage with talented participants from across Malaysia.

“Competing in the IDM UiTM Mathematical Olympiad 2026 strengthened my problem-solving skills and deepened my appreciation for mathematics. The experience also taught me the importance of consistency in practice, as mathematical problems often require a wide range of techniques and approaches. 

“Through interacting with other participants, I learnt to view problems from different perspectives and recognise that the first solution is not always the most effective one. It was an honour to represent APU and contribute to the University’s success in this prestigious competition,” he said.

The success of APU students in the IDMUiTM Competition Mathematical Olympiad 2026 highlighted the University’s continuous efforts to nurture analytical thinkers, innovative problem-solvers, and future-ready graduates, as participation in national-level competitions provided valuable exposure, enhanced students’ confidence, and developed skills beyond the classroom.

APU also extended its sincere appreciation to UiTM for organising the competition and providing a meaningful platform for students to engage with fellow mathematics enthusiasts from across the country and foster a deeper appreciation for mathematics.

Congratulations once again to all APU participants, finalists, and winners for their remarkable achievements. 

Their success further strengthened APU’s reputation for academic excellence and reflected the University’s ongoing commitment to empowering students to excel in an increasingly competitive world.

APU looked forward to participating in future editions of the Mathematical Olympiad and continuing to inspire students to pursue excellence in mathematics, innovation, and problem-solving.