The University of Technology, Jamaica through its School of Mathematics and Statistics,  Faculty of Science and Sport on Saturday, November 17, 2018 launched the 2nd Annual Mathematics Quiz Competition under the theme, “Mathematics the Choice of the New Generation” held at the Shared Facilities Building, Papine Campus.

The Mathematics Quiz Competition which is open to all high schools, technical, vocational, agricultural and community colleges,  seeks to increase interest and critical thinking skills in Mathematics and to promote the importance and development of the subject as a  tool for problem solving across disciplines.  The Competition also seeks to generate a deeper appreciation for Mathematics among students at the secondary level in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

The Competition covers all the curriculum of the CSEC and CAPE Mathematics Level 1. Each participating school is allowed to register a maximum of three teams comprising no more than three students on each team.  The competition rounds consist of both paper based questions and a face-face ‘Schools Challenge Quiz style’ play-off round.

The participating high schools at Saturday’s preliminary round were Ardenne High, Belair High, Camperdown High, Campion College, Clarendon College, Cornwall College, Excelsior High, Glenmuir High, Herbert Morrison Technical High, Immaculate Conception High, Jamaica College, Knox College, Montego Bay High School for Girls, Mount Alvernia High School, St. George’s College, St. Jago High School, Titchifield High, Wolmer’s Trust High School for Girls and York Castle High.

At the end of the day’s proceedings, the top four semi-finalists from the preliminary round were Ardenne High, Campion College, Immaculate Conception High and Knox College. The four semi-finalists will move on to compete in the semi-finals and finals of the Mathematics Quiz Competition to be held on Saturday, November 24 and Thursday, November 29, 2018 respectively.

Dr. Kamilah Hylton, Dean, Faculty of Science and Sport in providing a background and overview of the Mathematics Quiz Competition, noted that with current trends in Mathematics, the “new generation of students have no choice but to embrace Mathematics if they are to conquer new frontiers in academia in areas such as epidemiology, agriculture, material science, robotics and photography.” 

The Dean noted that UTech, Jamaica is in solidarity with the current National Mathematics Policy which she said is an indication of the government’s commitment to improving the teaching and learning of Mathematics in Jamaica.  The Faculty of Science and Sport offers a BSc in Mathematics Education as well as a Master of Science in Mathematics teaching in collaboration with Church Teachers’ College.  Additionally there are offerings in Applied Mathematics in areas such as Applied Statistics and Actuarial Sciences.

Conceptualizer of the UTech, Jamaica Mathematics Quiz Competition, President Professor Stephen Vasciannie, CD, in welcoming the large gathering of students from 19 high schools across Jamaica who turned out to participate in the preliminary round of the Mathematics Quiz Competition, said that the University is happy to be providing an opportunity for students to develop their skills, competency and confidence in the subject as they prepare to sit their external examinations.

The winning school will receive a trophy and cash prize of $150,000. Second place school will also receive a trophy and cash prize of $100,000 and third and fourth places will receive $50,000 each.  Sponsors of the Competition are Wisynco and H& L Ultimate Touch Promotions Ltd.