What comes to mind when you think about math?
For Vahram, it's the curiosity!
"I can live without math—but only for a day," laughs 19-year-old Vahram Asatryan as he talks about his lifelong passion. For him, math isn't just numbers and equations; it's a way of thinking, a tool for solving problems in life. "Math teaches you how to look for solutions in any situation," he explains. "And, most importantly, how to actually find them."
Recently, Vahram's problem-solving skills earned him the prestigious Emil Artin Foundation Prize in Mathematics for solving a complex geometry problem, published in the Mathematical Association of America's monthly journal.
The task brought him back to his school days, when he would spend hours tackling similar puzzles. “It was a nostalgic moment,” Vahram admits with a smile. “I enjoyed solving it, and the prize was just a nice bonus.” Remarkably, he completed the problem in just 3–4 hours during his free time and submitted it to the publication.
A nine-time international Math Olympiad winner, Vahram is now in his third year studying Applied Statistics and Data Science at Yerevan State University, where he's also enrolled in the Math Honors Program and works as a Teaching Assistant.
“Seeing math as an interesting science, not as a school subject, is how I became a math lover," he says. "I owe a lot to my grandfather, who taught me to think through chess, and my schoolteacher, who sparked my love for math with all the challenging tasks he gave me. The Math Honors program is like a whole new world—it’s intense but incredible. It gives you a solid foundation and connects you with people who love math as much as I do."
In addition to his studies, Vahram shares his love for math with schoolchildren in Armenia's Syunik province. He runs online math groups for 5th to 8th graders in Goris, Kapan, and Sisian a few times a week, hoping to inspire the next generation of problem solvers.
“Math is everywhere—in our daily lives, whether we realize it or not. My advice for younger students? “Study math! Do every task in your books, and join as many extracurricular groups as you can.”
To help more young minds discover the beauty of STEM subjects like math, consider donating to FAR today!
Launched in 2022, the Math Honors Program stems from the collaborative efforts of the Yervant Terzian Armenian National Science and Education Fund (ANSEF) and the Armenian Society of Fellows (ASOF). This unique initiative, known for its rarity and challenging nature in advanced math, aims to inspire and equip young minds for the rigors of postgraduate life and careers.
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