With a historic record of 251 submissions—nearly four times more than in the previous edition the Young Mathematical Talent Award recognized José Ugarte, Francisca Aguayo, and Franco Gómez in its eleventh edition. The ceremony, organized by the Chilean College of Engineers, marked the culmination of months of work and reaffirmed the award as one of the country’s most significant platforms for identifying and celebrating mathematical creativity among young people. The Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM) has played a key role in this process, contributing its expertise and vision to strengthen initiatives that connect mathematical thinking with national development.
The event marked the end of a months-long effort that involved designing the problem, receiving and evaluating submissions, and undertaking an especially rigorous review by the jury, which this year faced the challenge of analyzing a record number of proposals.
First place was awarded to José Manuel Ugarte Catalán, a student in the Common Engineering and Science Program at the University of Chile. Second place went to Francisca Aguayo Moreno, a mathematics graduate from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, who did not attend as she is currently pursuing graduate studies at IMPA in Brazil, and to Franco Gómez Sanhueza, a science graduate with a major in mathematics from the University of Chile.
“Receiving this award was a big surprise and a motivation”. Ugarte said. “I spent nearly two months working on the problem, circling around a single idea… with perseverance, even challenges that seem impossible can be solved,” reflected the winner of the five-thousand-dollar prize.
He also highlighted the support of those around him: “I felt like quitting more than once, but my family and friends encouraged me to keep going… they were with me day and night,” he added with a laugh.
For his part, Franco Gómez recalled how his interest in the discipline began: “Since I was a child, I liked solving problems… I realized that mathematics is not just formulas, but a way of thinking”. Now pursuing a Master’s in Mathematics at the University of Chile, he emphasized the value of the competition: “These kinds of initiatives are truly meaningful… they create a wonderful community where you learn and share ideas.”
From Brazil, Francisca Aguayo sent a message expressing her pride in the recognition and reflecting on equity: “One thing I appreciate most is that submissions are evaluated anonymously… it sends a very powerful message about equity in science”.
A Challenge to think differently
This year’s problem posed a question that seemed simple on the surface but was deep in substance: is it possible to divide the numbers from 1 to 2022 and then to 2023into two groups with the same sum? Participants had to extend and resolve the question while demonstrating originality, rigor, and elegance.
The jury placed particular value on the reasoning process. Although today there are artificial intelligence tools capable of producing numerical results, they cannot reveal the logical structure that leads to a solution a central element of this competition.
The evaluation committee was composed of Prof. Alejandro Jofré, associate researcher at the CMM; Mario Ponce, former dean and current Academic Vice President of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile; and Eugenio Collados, engineer and son of the award’s founder. Submissions came from fields such as engineering, science, economics, business, and professional institutes.
“We went from 60 to 251 submissions… It’s encouraging to see mathematics moving away from abstraction and connecting with the resolution of real-world problems,” Jofré noted. His participation, along with that of the CMM, reinforces the center’s commitment to supporting spaces where mathematics serves the country.
Eugenio Collados highlighted the difficulty of the selection process: “We had around twenty excellent works… the difference lies in elegance, clarity, and creativity”. He also recalled the legacy of his father, Modesto Collados: “My father was clear that mathematics had to be rigorous but also beautiful… this 2025 edition reflected that with remarkable strength”.
Likewise, Teresa Collados praised the maturity of the participants: “Each year, the competition improves… it is impressive to see the depth with which young people approach these challenges”.
A Contribution to the Country’s Development
During the ceremony, the president of the Chilean College of Engineers, Hernán de Solminihac, underscored the importance of this award:
“This prize fills us with pride because it shows the immense pool of talent that exists in Chile… it is a powerful tool for promoting mathematics and critical thinking,” he stated.
The competition, which has recognized figures such as Héctor Pastén, continues to demonstrate its impact as a formative space for young talent. For the CMM, initiatives like this are essential: they nurture mathematical creativity, inspire new vocations, and strengthen the scientific contributions Chile needs to face both current and future challenges.
More than fifteen years after its creation, the Young Mathematical Talent Award stands as one of the most prestigious scientific distinctions in the country. Beyond the prize itself, each edition reveals that Chile is full of brilliant, determined minds capable of finding beauty and purpose in numbers—a spirit the CMM celebrates and strives to continue promoting.
Written by the Communications Team of the College of Engineers and the Communications Team of the CMM
Photos courtesy of the College of Engineers
Posted on Nov 25, 2025 in News
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