The list of Sigma Gold scholarship recipients, announced by the Vietnam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics (VIASM), includes eight first-year students from the gifted mathematics bachelor's program at the University of Science, part of two national universities. The remaining student is from Hanoi National University of Education.

All recipients advanced through an application process that reviewed academic achievements, awards, and a mathematics essay, before being interviewed by Professor Ngo Bao Chau and his colleagues. Among them, three male students — Nguyen Dinh Tung, Nguyen Le Nhat Nam, and Tran Dai Thanh Danh — previously won gold and silver medals at the 2026 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).

The students receive full tuition exemption and 15 million VND in monthly living expenses for the first semester, with continued support contingent on maintaining strong academic performance. This scholarship represents the highest value currently available for mathematics students.

The Sigma scholarship comprises three categories, part of a mathematics talent development program sponsored by VIASM and the Vietnam Education Innovation Fund (VIEF).

Specifically: the Sigma Gold and Silver groups receive 100% tuition support and monthly living expenses of 15 million VND and 7,5 million VND, respectively; the Sigma Bronze group receives tuition exemption.

The Sigma Gold scholarship is awarded by VIASM and is open to mathematics or mathematics education students nationwide. The other two scholarship categories are exclusively for gifted mathematics bachelor's programs, with selections made by the two Universities of Science.

New students at the University of Science, VNU Ho Chi Minh City, 9/2026. Photo: *HCMUS*

Le Nguyen - Khanh Linh