This year's recipients of the Bert-Inge Hogsved Prize for Best Entrepreneurship are Hugo Bäckman, Oskar Olander, and Leo Andersson for their outstanding work in establishing, implementing, and marketing the Fε∫2π Club - Mathematics Association. By organizing competition-style problem-solving evenings for students, they have created an inclusive and engaging community for mathematics enthusiasts. The prize is awarded by the Forum for Engineering Physicists at Chalmers.
The Fε∫2π Club - Mathematics Association, also known as Festklubben Mathematics Association, was founded in the spring of 2022 by Åke Andersson and Hugo Bäckman. Their initiative, inspired by MIT's "Integration Bee," aims to promote knowledge, study motivation, and friendship among students interested in mathematics.
Hugo Bäckman, one of the award recipients, shares his thoughts on the association's journey and its successes. "It has been a fantastic journey to be involved in developing the Fε∫2π Club. We started with a vision of creating a platform where mathematics enthusiasts could challenge each other while building a strong community. To see how this has become a reality and to be awarded this prize is an incredible honour," says Bäckman.
Hugo Bäckman and Oskar Olander have been primarily responsible for the planning and implementation of the mathematics evenings, while Leo Andersson has focused on marketing among the students. Through these competitions, students from different programs and high school students have the opportunity to quickly and effectively enhance their ability and motivation to study by solving mathematical problems in competition form.
The mathematics evenings, held approximately eight times a year, have not only motivated the participants to deepen their studies but have also become a source of knowledge for spectators in the stands. The competitions, where participants quickly solve 30-50 problems in three minutes each, create a dynamic atmosphere that promotes learning and community.
"The main purpose of the competitions is not only to inspire participants to study more but also to offer spectators an opportunity to learn something new by watching. Since our first math competition in 2022, we have held another twelve competitions, with around 15 participants and 25 spectators each time," Bäckman continues.
"Entrepreneurship is the key to driving social change and innovation forward. I am happy to see Hugo Bäckman, Oskar Olander, and Leo Andersson rewarded for their work in promoting interest in mathematics among Chalmers students. Their initiative with the Fε∫2π Club - Mathematics Association shows how important it is to create engaging environments that promote learning and collaboration," says Bert-Inge Hogsved.
The 2024 Bert-Inge Hogsved Prize for Best Entrepreneurship is awarded to Hugo Bäckman, Oskar Olander, and Leo Andersson for their significant contributions through entrepreneurship to promote interest in mathematics among students at Chalmers. Åke Andersson received an honourable mention for his efforts as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.
For more information, please contact folke.hjalmers@chalmersindustriteknik.se or emma.soovik@hogia.se.
Information about the award
The Bert-Inge Hogsved Prize for Best Entrepreneurship was established in 2011 by Bert-Inge Hogsved, himself an engineering physicist. The prize is awarded annually by the Forum for Engineering Physicists at Chalmers to Chalmers students in Engineering Physics, Engineering Mathematics, or Chemical Engineering with Physics.