The Mathematical Institute SANU is in many ways connected with the Mathematical Grammar School, because most of its associates were either its students or taught there. What we have in common are the anniversaries, this year MI SANU marks the 75th year, and the Mathematical Grammar School the 55th year since its founding. Our cooperation is growing every year and we can only proudly point out that it represents one of the pillars of the scientific life of Serbia and its diaspora when it comes to mathematical and computer science.
The Mathematical Institute SANU is primarily engaged in research in the field of mathematics, computing, mechanics and their applications. In addition, it is involved in many projects of importance to the wider community, such as the digitisation of cultural and historical heritage and carrying out projects with industry. It organises the activities within three colloquiums and departments and about ten active scientific seminars, at which students of the Mathematical Grammar School often gave lectures and took part in the work. Associates of the Mathematical Institute SANU very often enhance their work in science by teaching at the Mathematical Grammar School because it inspires and they enjoy it, but, also, because in that way they can present the Institute as another open house for Mathematical Grammar School students who thus have the opportunity to accomplish their striving in science and continue to nurture their love for the Mathematical Grammar School. In the period from 2016 to 2021, external associates of the Mathematical Grammar School with MI SANU were: Dr Đorđe Baralić, Dr Dragan Blagojević, Dr Borislav Gajić, Stevan Gajović, Dr Božidar Jovanović, Dr Bojan Marinković, Dr Luka Milićević, Dr Zoran Petrić, Dr Predrag Tanović, Dr Dragan Urošević, and Teodor von Burg. They taught algebraic analysis, geometry, linear algebra and analytical geometry, programming and programming languages, numerical analysis and various mathematics and programming classes.
What is particularly important and what we are especially proud of is that the principal of the Mathematical Grammar School and the director of the Institute, Srđan Ognjanović, MSc, and Dr Zoran Ognjanović, launched a program to maintain connections between successful high school graduates, participants in Mathematics and Computing Olympiads, and the Institute. Every year, since 2010, the most successful Olympians, the Mathematical Grammar School, and MI SANU sign the Academic Follow-Up Memorandum, through which a number of students returned to Serbia after completing their studies and doctorates and were employed at the Institute, such as Dr Luka Milićević, Teodor von Burg and Stevan Gajović. Such positive effects are expected in the years to come, because a large number of students, former students of the Mathematical Grammar School, participate in conferences and meetings of the Student Seminar of the Mathematical Institute SANU.
The importance of the early introduction of young people to the scientific work of MI SANU is also recognised through awards for the best graduation papers in mathematics and computer science completed by graduates of the Mathematical Grammar School. These awards are presented annually, by the decision of the expert Commission of the Institute, starting in 2019, and the previous winners are:
Mathematics – awards
- Jelena Ilić (2019)
- Lazar Korsić (2019)
- Irina Đanković (2020)
- Jelena Ivančić (2020)
Mathematics – honorary mention
- Stefan Radojičić (2020)
Computing – award
- Mihajlo Aleksić (2019)
- Mihajlo Milošević (2020)
- Marko Grujičić (2020)
Computing – honorary mention
- Magdalina Jelić (2020)
A large number of current and former students of the Mathematical Grammar School contributed by volunteering at the May, the Month of Mathematics event, which MI SANU has been successfully organising together with the Centre for the Promotion of Science for ten years. This largest popular science event promotes mathematics and its significance for other sciences and society through exhibitions, lectures, workshops and other programs. In September 2020, the Mathematical Grammar School hosted the promotion of the catalogue Women of Mathematics throughout Europe. To promote the launching of the Serbian edition of the catalogue, the exhibitions of the same name were held in Belgrade and Novi Sad. In May 2021, at the Ceremonial Academy, on the occasion marking the 10th anniversary of the event, MI SANU presented the principal of the Mathematical Grammar School, Mirjana Katić with a letter of appreciation for the contribution to the event.
We proudly announce that, in 2019, the Mathematical Institute SANU presented its highest award – the Prize of the Mathematical Institute SANU to the long-term principal of the Mathematical Grammar School, Srđan Ognjanović, MSc, for his exceptional contribution to the development of mathematics in Serbia. The successes of the Mathematical Grammar School are valuable assets of the whole of Serbia and MI SANU recognises and promotes them.
The cooperation between the Mathematical Grammar School and the Mathematical Institute SANU is the model that much richer countries have been trying to carry out. However, what characterises this close connection between these two educational institutions is much more than what can fit in the final number of words and paragraphs. It is simply something inseparable from people, a part of the authentic Belgrade mathematical way of life!
