Monash mathematicians lead the world at the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad
Professor Norm Do and Algebaroo
Australia hosted the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) on the Sunshine Coast, only the second time in its history, welcoming 635 of the world’s top young problem-solvers from 114 countries. Monash mathematicians were central to this global celebration of mathematical excellence and collaboration.
In a massive win for Australia’s mathematical community, the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) was hosted on the Sunshine Coast, marking only the second time this prestigious event has landed on Australian soil since its inception in 1959.
With 635 of the world’s brightest young mathematicians competing from 114 countries, the event wasn’t just a competition, it was a global celebration of intellectual excellence, collaboration, and problem-solving at the highest level.
And while the Sunshine Coast may have been the geographic home, the beating intellectual heart of the Olympiad pulsed firmly at Monash University. The Monash School of Mathematics played a central role in bringing the event to life not only through key organisational support, but through deep involvement in planning, logistics, and academic oversight.
Associate Professor Norm Do chaired the jury, which was the ultimate decision-making body, including team leaders from all competing countries. Associate Professor Ivan Guo chaired the Problem Committee, responsible for choosing the six problems on the IMO paper, designed to challenge the world’s best young mathematical problem solvers. Associate Professor Guo was also Chief Coordinator for the marking of many thousands of pages of complex mathematical arguments in over 50 different languages, all within less than three days. “I’ve never seen those two so stressed, but they both performed absolute miracles under intense pressure. They absolutely did us proud,” said Professor Ian Wanless, who served on the problem committee and as a problem captain.
“Marking coordination at the IMO is a delicate mix of mathematical technicalities, cross-cultural communication, advocacy, decoding indecipherable handwriting, impossible logistics, and international diplomacy,” said Associate Professor Daniel Matthews, deputy chair of the Problem Committee.
“Every single mark is a negotiation. It’s an incredible process to support a competition for the best young mathematicians in the world.”
Dozens of mathematicians from around the world were involved in marking coordination, including Monash mathematicians Dr Jian He and Dr Stephen Muirhead, in addition to Associate Professor Guo, Professor Wanless and Associate Professor Mathews.
Students were also treated to a guest lecture by mathematics Youtube celebrity Professor Burkard Polster, also known as the ‘Mathologer’.
Other Monash staff including Associate Professor Dan Mathews, Professor Burkard Polster, Dr Jian He, Dr Stephen Muirhead were involved in multiple ways, serving on the Problem Committee, as problem captains, marking coordinators, giving invited speeches and presenting medals.
Several Monash mathematicians previously represented Australia at the IMO as students, including Professor Do (1997), Associate Professor Guo (2003, 2004), Dr He (1995, 1996) Associate Professor Mathews (1996, 1997), Dr Muirhead (2005), and Professor Wanless (1987).
You can learn more about IMO 2025 at https://imo2025.au.