Nguyen Nhat Huy, a 20-year-old third-year student in the high-quality mathematics pedagogy program (K73) at Hanoi National University of Education, recently secured first prize in category A for algebra at the national student and high school student math olympic, scoring 25,5 out of 30 points.

This category is known for being challenging, attracting outstanding contestants from specialized math schools. The exam consisted of 5 essay problems to be completed in 180 minutes. Huy stated he completed almost all of them, leaving only the hardest question unanswered.

"I was happy but not overly surprised because I had already estimated my score after leaving the exam room," Huy said, adding that he won second prize last year and had aimed to upgrade his medal this time.

Nguyen Nhat Huy. Photo: Provided by subject

Nhat Huy is a familiar name within the high school math community. During his time in the specialized math class at Phan Boi Chau High School in Nghe An, he achieved a national second prize and advanced to the selection round for the international team. This accomplishment earned him direct admission to several universities, including Hanoi National University of Education.

The student developed a passion for teaching early on. In 11th grade, Huy began compiling math materials and found particular joy in explaining concepts in an accessible way. To date, his debut book, designed for students preparing for the 10th-grade specialized math exam, has been republished many times.

In his first year of university, parents and students sought out Huy, initially forming small groups that later grew into stable classes. His academic foundation and active participation in the math community also earned him the trust of his teachers, who invited him to teach several sessions for Nghe An province's math team.

To participate in the national student math olympic, Huy first underwent the school's team selection exam in late january. During the one month of preparation before the competition, he dedicated one to two sessions each week to solving difficult problems from both national and international olympic exams.

According to Huy, the most challenging aspects were developing speed, accuracy, and presentation skills. "The exam is long and knowledge-intensive. To have time to think about difficult problems, one must be quick, sharp, and confident in solving the initial questions," he observed.

For difficult problems, Huy sets a limit of approximately two hours to find a solution. If he remains stuck, he then consults solutions to learn new methods. Huy believes self-study is the core factor for excelling in mathematics.

Huy's achievement contributed to a stellar competition season for Hanoi National University of Education, the best since it joined the math olympic movement in 1993, according to Associate Professor Dr. Le Van Hien, Head of the School of Mathematics and Information Technology. This year, all 10 team members won medals, including 8 gold medals. The two valedictorians in the two most challenging categories were both students from Hanoi National University of Education.

"Nhat Huy is one of the outstanding students in the department and possesses strong potential for professional development in the future," his professor remarked. Associate Professor Hien added that the school's team did not require intensive crash courses, as the students already had a solid mathematical foundation from their curriculum.

Nguyen Nhat Huy (third from left) with teachers and friends in the Hanoi National University of Education team. Photo: School Fanpage

Beyond his studies and teaching, Nhat Huy actively participates in various faculty and school activities. He admits to occasional fatigue but rarely feels overwhelmed, thanks to his consistent early planning.

"I usually plan a week in advance, identifying important tasks and prioritizing them. Breaking down work and completing it progressively prevents backlogs and reduces delays," Huy shared.

The student aims to successfully complete his bachelor's program, pursue a master's degree, enhance his teaching abilities, and dedicate himself to serious mathematical research.

"Initially, I want to become a good math teacher, and later, a true mathematician," Huy stated.

By Chau Anh