Moroccan Students Achieve Best Math Olympiad Score in 30 Years

Morocco World

5 days ago

Fez – In a remarkable academic feat, Moroccan high school students have just made history at the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad in Australia, scoring the country's best result in three decades and earning global recognition in a competition dominated by the world's top math minds.
The Moroccan national team racked up a total of 106 points, bringing home two bronze medals and four honorable mentions.
It's the second-best performance in the country's history at this prestigious event, and the strongest showing since 1983.
Yassine Kamouh and Hamza Achak were the medalists, earning 26 and 24 points respectively. Their achievement, according to the Moroccan Mathematics Association, reflects 'exceptional scientific excellence and advanced problem-solving skills.'
Four other teammates: Mohamed Amine Halhoule, Mohamed Wassim Aabida, Sami Massaoui, and Yasser Messaad earned honorable mentions for their efforts.
For the families, it was more than a win, it was a moment of national pride. 'It was overwhelming joy mixed with deep pride,' said Hassan Halhoule, father of one of the medalists.
'This result raised the Moroccan flag among countries with far more resources and support.'
The students finished 57th globally, a significant leap given the intense pressures they were under, not just the complexity of the Olympiad problems, but the added challenge of balancing their training with baccalaureate exam preparations.
Training camps took place in Benguerir and were organized by the Ministry of National Education, which provided key logistical and academic support throughout.
Still, much of the credit also goes to the Moroccan Mathematics Association, whose consistent coaching and motivation made a tangible impact.
According to parents and mentors, names like Ziyad Oumzil stood out, mentors who were not just coaches, but daily companions in the emotional and intellectual marathon leading to the Olympiad.
But behind the medals lies a deeper message: Morocco's excellence in mathematics is not a coincidence. It's part of a long intellectual heritage.
'This is not just a success, it's a continuation of a tradition,' said Halhoule. 'From the Almoravid era to now, Morocco's identity has always included a serious engagement with science, astronomy, and mathematics.'
Despite this year's success, there was a missed opportunity, a third medal was within reach.
Student Mohamed Amine Halhoule came heartbreakingly close, but a scoring dispute over one of his solutions edged him out of medal range.
Still, the team's overall performance remains a milestone achievement.
To take things further, families and educators are now calling for more formal support. Unlike countries such as Saudi Arabia, where students are exempt from exams and trained by international experts, Moroccan students often juggle multiple pressures.
With more freedom, funding, and structured support, there's no doubt they could soar even higher.
As the Moroccan Mathematics Association put it in their statement, this isn't the end, it's a push to keep building a generation that excels in science, proudly representing Morocco in every global arena. Tags: AustraliaMathOlympiadstudents