In a groundbreaking achievement, a 17-year-old student from a secondary vocational school has etched her name in the annals of history by clinching the 12th spot globally in the prestigious 2024 Alibaba Global Mathematics Competition. Jiang Ping, hailing from Lianshui Secondary Vocational School in Jiangsu Province and specializing in fashion design, has shattered barriers by becoming the first vocational school student to reach the finals of this esteemed competition.
Jiang Ping’s ardor for mathematics knows no bounds, with her investing two years of her life in grasping the intricate concepts of partial differential equations during her leisure hours. The recent release of the list of finalists by the organizing committee unveils a stark contrast, showcasing a dominance of contestants from esteemed universities like Tsinghua, Peking, MIT, and Cambridge.
Engaged in a grueling two-day battle during the preliminaries, Jiang Ping dedicated every waking moment, foregoing meals and rest, to tackle the challenging problems head-on. Her resolute determination stemmed from a desire to break stereotypes and show that “girls can excel in mathematics as well”.
The allure of the Alibaba Mathematics Competition lies in its broad public participation, drawing individuals from diverse backgrounds such as doctors and delivery personnel who view mathematics as their “secret garden” amidst their daily professional obligations.
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming finals on June 22nd, contestants will have a 24-hour window to choose any continuous 8-hour period to respond to the questions. The victors of this year’s competition stand to benefit from a substantial prize pool exceeding 4 million yuan (approximately $552,000).
The stage is set for a riveting showdown as Jiang Ping vies to etch her name in the hall of fame of mathematics, defying odds and inspiring generations to come.
[Source: ECNS | Image: Screenshot from video]
