Saran Ahuja, representing Nakorn Payap International
School (NIS) in Chiang Mai, has been selected as one of the final six
members of Thailand’s national team that will compete in the International
Mathematics Olympiad in Mexico this July.
Saran
Ahuja (in white shirt) with NIS manager Kritshya Yimprasert (next on right)
and board members of the Institute for the Promotion of Science and
Technology, which organizes Thailand’s Mathematics Olympiad.
HRH Princess Galayani Vadhana, sister of HRH King
Bhumibol Adulyadej, presented Saran with an award at a ceremony in Bangkok
that also ensures a 10 year scholarship to university. The scholarship
includes all school and living costs until he receives his Ph.D.
He has been accepted and will attend Brown University in
Rhode Island, U.S., an Ivy League school.
“I am very honored to represent my country in the
international competition,” he said. “I also want to thank all the
teachers who taught me along the way.”
Saran said he wants to return to Thailand after
completing his doctorate in mathematics. “I want to teach at a university
in Thailand and give something back if I can,” he said.
Saran credited NIS Principal John Allen with helping
guide him through the complex application process for Ivy League schools and
long-time NIS mathematics teacher Navinder Ahuja - who also happens to be
his mother - for helping in his success.
“Needless to say, we’re very proud of Saran,” John
Allen said. “To be in the final six out of 10,000 initial applicants in
any endeavor is quite an achievement. To do it in math means he is among the
most elite mathematics students for his age (18 years) in the world.”
Last year 486 contestants from 83 countries participated in the
International Mathematics Olympiad.
The
new knight, Dr. Supavat Poovakul and his wife Piyanart, after having
received his medal of honor.