March 18, 2019 – The department of Mathematics and Statistics – Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences at Notre Dame University-Louaize organized a Mathematics Competition for high school students. Eighty grade 11 and 12 students from schools across Lebanon participated, including Elysée School, CNDL, College des Saints Coeurs Bouchrieh, Brummana High School, College Hripsimiantz, College Notre Dame de Nazareth, Lebanon Evangelical School, Tyre Community School, Lycee Amchit, Djemaran School, Saint Joseph School-Cornet chahwan, SABIS International School of Chouaifat, Saint Coeur Hadat, Adma International School, Sagesse Saint Jean Brazilia, and Hariri High School II.
The competition’s main goals are to foster student interest in Mathematics, tell them more about NDU’s Mathematics programs, and inform them on possible future careers in Mathematics. By creating an interactive platform for Mathematics, the competition can introduce the Lebanese students to the field and encourage them to major in Math.
The event started with a presentation given by the NDU Mathematics Alumnus, Dr. Mariette Maroun Associate Professor Department of Mathematics and Statistics – FNAS, NDU. Dr. Maroun explained what makes Math special and why it is highly recommended to pursue a degree in Mathematics.
The second part of the event consisted of a 90 minute competition. The goal was to challenge students to clarify, analyze, and propose solutions to some basic and fun questions. While the tests were being graded, all participants enjoyed some refreshments while exploring the NDU Math programs/financial aids brochures, and solved brain teasers. Winners were then announced, and prizes distributed. Saint Joseph School-Cornet Chahwan student, Carl Machaalani, won first place, College Notre Dame de Nazareth student, Raoul Yazbeck, came second, and Adma International School student, Joseph Edde, placed third. Each winner received a Laptop, generously provided by the BMB Company. All other participants were awarded a certificate of participation and some of them expressed their interest in joining the NDU undergraduate Math program.