The 33rd edition of the International Mathematics Competition (IMC) recently concluded in Bulgaria, prompting a statement from the National Higher School of Mathematics regarding the competition's results. The annual event gathered participants from various international institutions to test their mathematical prowess. Following the conclusion of the competition, the National Higher School of Mathematics issued a public statement addressing the outcomes and the performance of students involved. This statement, released after the competition results were made public, sparked further scrutiny regarding the accuracy of its claims.
The International Mathematics Competition
The International Mathematics Competition (IMC) in Bulgaria is an annual event that reached its 33rd edition, serving as a significant platform for young mathematicians. The 33rd International Mathematics Competition (IMC) was hosted by the American University in Bulgaria, taking place from July 27 to August 3, 2026. This competition mandates that all participants attend in person in Bulgaria, emphasizing direct engagement and interaction among the international cohort of students. Unlike many international competitions that feature one national delegation per country, the Bulgarian event permits any university student under 23 to participate individually or alongside peers representing their university, fostering broader individual participation. Participation in the competition carries an approximate cost of 700 Euros per person, which covers accommodation and food, a standard arrangement for such international academic events. The 2026 competition saw 447 participants from over 40 countries, representing approximately 130 universities, noting its global reach and diverse representation. Among the participants, 19 individuals were listed in the final ranking without their city or country of origin specified, indicating a small number of participants whose affiliations were not fully detailed in the public results.
The competition organizers categorized all 447 participants into seven tiered categories based on their points, providing a structured evaluation of performance. Category 1, designated as the 'Grand Prize for Excellence,' included three students, corresponding to ranks 1-3, recognizing the absolute top performers. Category 2, the 'Prize for Excellence,' comprised nine students, holding ranks 4-12, acknowledging a further elite group. Category 3, known as the 'First Prize' category, included 80 students, covering ranks 13-92, indicating a substantial group of high achievers. Category 4, awarded as the 'Second Prize,' recognized 78 students, occupying ranks 93-170. Category 5, the 'Third Prize' category, included 69 students, covering ranks 171-239. Category 6, designated as the 'Certificate of Honor,' recognized 106 students, spanning ranks 240-345. Finally, Category 7, the 'Certificate of Appreciation,' included 102 students, covering ranks from 346 to 447, ensuring recognition for a wide range of participants.
Discrepancies in Official Claims
The National Higher School of Mathematics released a statement claiming Shams Eddine Abdelali Derrach won first place in the International Mathematics Competition, and Mohamed Amir Ben Mellouka and Haythem Idris Ait Hamdouch secured third place. The school’s statement, which described the achievement as a "distinguished scientific accomplishment," noted the students' ability to compete at high-level international academic events and "raise the flag of Algeria high among the elite universities of the world." This public declaration by the National Higher School of Mathematics aimed to celebrate what it presented as significant victories for Algerian students on the international stage.
However, official results from the competition show Shams Eddine Derrach affiliated with 'Ministry of Higher Education/ Lycée Louis Le Grand (France),' rather than the National Higher School of Mathematics in Sidi Abdallah, Algeria. This affiliation detail raises questions about the school's claim of direct representation. Shams Eddine Derrach has been studying at Lycée Louis Le Grand in Paris since obtaining his Baccalaureate in 2024, a fact that further clarifies his current academic institution. Three years prior, in 2023, while studying at the Mathematics High School in El-Kouba, Shams Eddine Derrach earned a bronze medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad, demonstrating his early talent in mathematics. He is recognized as the first Algerian student to win a gold medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad since Algeria began participating in 1977, an achievement that shows his exceptional mathematical prowess and historical significance for his home country.
The National Higher School of Mathematics' statement did not mention three other Algerian students who were ranked in the 'Certificate of Honor' category, which corresponds to ranks 287-333 in the competition. This omission further notes a selective focus in the school's public announcement, concentrating solely on the highest claimed achievements while overlooking other recognized Algerian participants.
Contextualizing Student Achievements
Shams Eddine Derrach was ranked in the 'First Prize' category at the competition, achieving a score that placed him between ranks 18 and 20 among 447 participants. This category, designated as Category 3, included 80 students and encompassed ranks 13 through 92, confirming his placement among a distinguished group, though not in the top three as claimed. Mohamed Ben Mellouka and Haythem Ait Hamdouch were listed in the 'Third Prize' category, with their scores placing them between ranks 220 and 227. Category 5, the 'Third Prize' category, comprised 69 students and covered ranks 171 to 239, accurately placing their achievements within this designated tier.
In 2024, Shams Eddine Derrach notably won a gold medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad, building on his previous bronze medal success. Following this achievement, he received exceptional support from Algerian authorities and the Ministry of Higher Education through a scholarship to study abroad, a testament to the recognition of his talent at a national level. Beyond these results, one Algerian participant was ranked in the 'Certificate of Appreciation' category, specifically at rank 366. The competition's structure included Category 6, the 'Certificate of Honor,' which recognized 106 students from ranks 240 to 345. Category 7, the 'Certificate of Appreciation,' included 102 students, covering ranks from 346 to 447, providing a full system of recognition for all participants based on their performance levels.