THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE ABIDJAN PORT AUTHORITY HONOURS THE WINNERS OF THE "MISS MATHÉMATIQUE" AND "FÉLIX HOUPHOUET BOIGNY DE MATHÉMATIQUES" COMPETITIONS

Autres Wednesday 04 October 2023

The Kodjo Ebouclé room at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan was abuzz with activity on Friday 28 July 2023, as a double award ceremony was held for the winners of the "Miss Mathématique Côte d'Ivoire" and "Félix Houphouët-Boigny de Mathématiques" competitions.

Placed under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, HEM. Alassane OUATTARA, under the chairmanship of the Minister of National Education and Literacy, Professor Mariatou KONÉ, and under the patronage of the Managing Director of the Abidjan Port Authority (PAA), Mr. Hien Yacouba SIÉ, this celebration of scientific excellence, which took place before an audience of VIPs, lived up to all its promises.

Professor Saliou TOURÉ, President and Founder of the Société Mathématique de Côte d'Ivoire (SMCI), took the opportunity to congratulate all the partners in these competitions, and in particular the Managing Director of the PAA, for his unfailing commitment and his actions to promote the emergence of a scientifically developed Côte d'Ivoire. "I would like to pay tribute to your remarkable commitment to instilling in our young people the value of excellence, without which there can be no development, because you yourself are an excellent man," said Professor Saliou TOURÉ, who did not fail to urge Ivorian and multinational companies established in Côte d'Ivoire to follow in the footsteps of the partners who have already made a commitment alongside the SMCI.

Continuing his speech, the President of the SMCI stressed the importance of mathematics in all aspects of life at the beginning of the 21st century. He said that mathematics was playing an increasingly important role in all branches of modern science and technology, and in many areas of economic, social and cultural life.

Before concluding, he encouraged the various prize-winners to aim ever higher and to carry the torch of Ivorian excellence even higher.

Representing Professor Mariatou KONE, Minister of National Education and Literacy, Mr. KONAN Raoul KOUADIO, her Director of Cabinet, welcomed the initiative of such intellectual competitions, which he said were aimed at promoting excellence, all part of the reforms initiated by the Minister to revitalise the education system in Côte d'Ivoire.

"We thank the students for having a dream, and for allowing us to share that dream. Côte d'Ivoire can rely on you. To build our country, we need well-shaped, well-filled heads capable of taking up the challenges of development. Always strive for excellence, because there are models of excellence in Côte d'Ivoire. We also encourage you to be role models for future generations," he advised, before thanking all the stakeholders who had worked to make the ceremony a success.

Mr. Hien Yacouba SIÉ, head of the PAA and patron of the event, received a standing ovation from the entire audience for his commitment to the SMCI. He said that the support given by his institution, a good corporate citizen, was fully in line with the vision of the President of the Republic, HEM. Alassane OUATTARA, whose commitment to education has been one of the founding pillars of his development programme since his accession to the supreme office of Côte d'Ivoire.

The patron of the 17th Miss Mathématique competition also took the opportunity of his speech to express his warm congratulations to the main players in this competition, first and foremost the SMCI, headed by Professor Saliou TOURÉ, "for its constant efforts to promote the mother of all sciences, namely mathematics." He also expressed his gratitude to the SMCI for having associated him with this showcase of excellence in schools.

Turning finally to his goddaughters, Mr. Hien Yacouba SIÉ urged them to be aware of their roles and responsibilities in the future of our country: "You are the future of Côte d'Ivoire and the highest authorities of the country, headed by the President of the Republic, HEM. Alassane OUATTARA, are counting on you to continue the work of development that they have begun, taking up future challenges in a timely manner in order to raise the national flag ever higher."

The lucky winners of the 2023 edition come from several renowned schools. In the 3rd year, the crown of Miss Mathématique was awarded to Miss AMANI Marie Emmanuela from the Lycée Sainte Marie de Cocody. For the Terminale C and E classes, the gold medal was given to Miss KRA N'Dri Ange Victoria from the École Militaire Préparatoire Technique (EMPT) de Bingerville.

For the Félix Houphouët-Boigny de Mathématiques competition, which is a mixed competition reserved for both boys and girls from the 6th to the 12th year of secondary school, several students were awarded prizes. The Félix Houphouët-Boigny super prize was won by Miss KPANSAI Esmonde from Lycée Sainte Marie de Cocody.

Created in 2000, the Year of Mathematics decreed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Miss Mathematics Côte d'Ivoire Competition, an initiative of Professor Saliou TOURÉ, aims to encourage young girls to take up scientific disciplines in general and mathematics in particular.

The climax of this 17th edition, whose tests were launched on 27 May 2023 at the Lycée Sainte Marie in Cocody, with some 500 students competing, was a complete success, and the numerous prizes awarded to the winners lived up to the public's expectations.

The PAA didn't want to do things by halves. In fact, in addition to the amount awarded annually to the SMCI, as part of the partnership that now links the two institutions, the Abidjan Port Authority contributed to the practical organisation of this ceremony through several donations of cash and computer equipment, among other things.

As a reminder, in line with its commitment to society, the PAA's Top Management signed a partnership agreement with the SMCI on 27 April 2023, providing annual financial support of 25 million CFA francs over five (5) years.

In addition to its core mission, the Abidjan Port Authority has developed numerous initiatives to promote excellence and the professional integration of young people (recruitment, internships, mentoring), in line with the vision of the President of the Republic, HEM. Alassane OUATTARA, who has made 2023 the year of youth.