Participation of the students of Riga Technical University in the Olympiad in mathematics

Abstract

[EN] There is much discussion recent years about teaching mathematics at school and universities. It is talked about how to interest pupils and students to turn to studying mathematics more. One of the ways to attract the best students to additional studies of mathematics is to invite them to participate in the Olympiads in mathematics. Student Parliament of Riga Technical University in cooperation with the Department of Engineering Mathematics organized the university Olympiad in mathematics for 6 years. There is an international Olympiad of mathematics in Latvia already for 6 years, which is organized by the Department of Mathematics of Latvia University of Agriculture. Students from Baltic universities participate in these Olympiads, and within their scope, students not only compete individually, but also discuss among themselves the content of mathematics and teaching methodology in their universities, evaluate it and express their suggestions for the improvements. Since 2012, students from Riga Technical University also participate in these Olympiads and get award-winning places. Such Olympiads promote interest about mathematics among young people, develops cooperation skills between like-minded people, as well as, give an opportunity for pedagogues to listen to the opinion of the best students about teaching methodology of mathematics and to improve it.