The letters in full

Eleftherios Charalampous¶

I am Eleftherios Charalampous, father of Konstantinos Charalampous, a dedicated young mathematician and current third-year undergraduate at the University of Chicago. As a parent from a modest background with limited resources, I was deeply concerned about providing my gifted son with the opportunities he deserved to nurture his exceptional talent in mathematics. It was during this challenging time that we connected with Yaashaa Golovanov in the first quarter of 2020, the esteemed director and mentor at the AMMOC, who became an invaluable guide in Konstantinos’s academic journey.

For two transformative years, from ages 17 to 19, Yaashaa (being the single instructor since the beginning) taught Konstantinos intensively, preparing him for the rigors of international mathematical competitions, including the prestigious International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). Under Yaashaa’s (equivalently AMMOC, as he is the only one who runs this program in its entirety) expert mentorship and teaching, Konstantinos not only earned an Honorable Mention award in the IMO 2022 but also achieved a perfect mark on one of the most challenging combinatorics problems—a testament to the depth of understanding and problem-solving prowess that Yaashaa/AMMOC instilled in him. AMMOC’s approach went far beyond rote learning; Yaashaa taught mathematics in its purest form, emphasizing rigorous reasoning, logical deduction, and creative insight. This method profoundly increased Konstantinos’s awareness of the beauty and interconnectedness of mathematical concepts, fostering a lifelong passion for the discipline.

Yaashaa’s influence extended well beyond competition preparation. He motivated Konstantinos to pursue a degree in mathematics at a world-renowned institution, recognizing his potential and guiding him through the complex application process. Coming from a modest family with very limited resources, we faced significant financial barriers, but Yaashaa’s unwavering support was instrumental in securing a full scholarship for Konstantinos at the University of Chicago. This scholarship not only alleviated our economic burdens but also granted Konstantinos the distinguished title of university scholar, affirming his place among the institution’s most promising students.

As a father, I was often stressed about ensuring Konstantinos received the education and resources commensurate with his abilities. Yaashaa alleviated these worries by treating Konstantinos not just as a student but as a protégé worthy of his full investment. He provided personalized guidance, including recommendations, essay reviews, and connections within the mathematical community, all while embodying the philosophy of AMMOC: cultivating young minds through an international math circle inspired by legends like Vladimir Arnold and Jerrold Eldon Marsden.

Today, as Konstantinos moves towards his goal to obtain a PhD, he maintains an outstanding academic record at the University of Chicago. He is also part of the REU program (for the summer cohort of 2026) at the University of Chicago. His success is a direct reflection of the foundational skills and inspiration AMMOC provided during those crucial formative years. Yaashaa/AMMOC didn’t just prepare Konstantinos for competitions or university admissions; he shaped him into a thoughtful, resilient mathematician ready to contribute to the field.

We are eternally grateful to Yaashaa and his internationally elite program AMMOC for turning what could have been a story of untapped potential into one of remarkable achievement. For any parents seeking similar guidance for their talented children, I wholeheartedly recommend reaching out to AMMOC—the dedication of AMMOC and its single-instructor model to cultivate young mathematicians is just unparalleled.

Dr Dattatray Dhobale¶

I am Dr. Dattatray Dhobale, father of Sarthak Dattatray Dhobale, my son and protege of Yaashaa Golovanov Sir at his premier international math circle, AMMOC. Sarthak is an incoming student for UG in pure math at Princeton, and he has received a full scholarship for his entire education at Princeton. This post is written as a culmination of the journey of my child, Sarthak, that started in October 2020 under the tutelage of Yaashaa Golovanov Sir.

In the aftermath of Princeton’s admission offer with a full scholarship, our family is deeply moved, humbled, and honored by feelings and wishes from countless people who have been observant of the journey [research, mathematical contests, and outreach teaching] of my child at AMMOC. We will always remember this day as one of historic significance in our lives. For the Indian math community and AMMOC, it is nothing less than a profound pride. We are immensely grateful for the phenomenal celebration within the AMMOC family and the recognition from eminent mathematicians and scientists across India.

We were overwhelmed with emotion upon reading Sarthak’s acceptance letter from Princeton. However, this achievement—the seed and its cultivation into a thriving crop—would never have come to fruition had we withdrawn Sarthak from AMMOC in October 2023, driven by anxiety and uncertainty following his failure in the Indian Math Olympiad. I still recall the courage I had to muster to call Yaashaa Sir and inform him that Sarthak would focus on the IIT JEE and CBSE exams. When I shared this decision, he responded, “Do you think I will allow you to make a unilateral decision? He may be your biological child, but I have invested more in him during his most formative years than you have. I will fight tooth and nail to ensure Sarthak remains in AMMOC.”

We spoke for over two hours on a late-night phone call in October, and I eventually relented, convinced by his clarity of thought, strategic planning, and vision for shaping my child’s future. I have never encountered a mentor or teacher who would go to such lengths to secure the future of someone else’s child.

We were unaware of the full scope of Sarthak’s journey, but after that pivotal call, we decided to trust Yaashaa Sir’s plan. After all, he understood our child’s potential better than we did.

Consider our own experience: Would Sarthak have secured a full scholarship to Princeton if we had made the decisions ourselves? If we had chosen the university list independently? Given that Asian students rarely pursue mathematics at Princeton, and Sarthak lacked an IMO qualification, I believed that without an IMO, a full scholarship to any U.S. university—let alone an Ivy League institution like Princeton—was unattainable. Honestly, beyond general perceptions found online, what do we truly know about the academic strengths of a university’s specific department? Very little.

Regardless of our profession, connections, or the information we gather online, unless we are academicians ourselves, we lack the expertise to accurately assess our child’s abilities or shape their academic career, no matter our resources.

The U.S. admissions process is extraordinarily challenging, and a single misstep can lead to rejection from all universities. This is why we need a guru in our lives. When we find a mentor like Yaashaa Sir, we must entrust our child’s future to their guidance. In the academic world, parents have little influence. Only mentors, teachers, and guides can shape a child’s life for better or worse. For Sarthak, Yaashaa Sir is a friend, philosopher, and guide who will stand by him through thick and thin. For us, words cannot express what it means to have Yaashaa Golovanov in our lives.

Thank you all for being here to witness a truly remarkable story—one we typically only encounter in fiction, books, or movies.

Pravin Sahu¶

I am Pravin Sahu. My son, Aaditya, embarked on his mathematical journey with the AMMOC, an international math circle led by Yaashaa Golovanov, in December 2023. This program has profoundly transformed his approach to mathematics, fostering a rigorous and structured understanding of the foundational mathematics in the pedagogical style of the erstwhile USSR. Initially, Aaditya attended weekend sessions totaling four hours weekly. As his engagement deepened, he now dedicates eight hours weekly to geometry and six to algebra, with each session presenting challenges that push the boundaries of his mathematical reasoning.

Yaashaa Golovanov, the sole instructor of AMMOC, far more than a conventional instructor, emphasizes constructing student-led proofs through a series of hints, definitions, and motivating examples. His teaching method, both intensive and immensely rewarding, equips students with a solid foundation for competitions like the AMC, AIME, SMT (Stanford), BMT (Berkeley), HMMT (Harvard-MIT), CMM (Caltech), PuMAC (Princeton), and many others while cultivating a passion for pure mathematics. Under his guidance, Aaditya has explored the core disciplines of classical mathematics—geometry, algebra, combinatorics, and number theory—with unprecedented depth and rigor. AMMOC’s pupils are the highest contributors to Mathematical Reflection and Crux Mathematicorum—two of the foremost journals of problem-solving and recreational mathematics. Aaditya has published his original solutions and proofs to nine problems in Mathematical Reflections and five in Crux Mathematicorum, widely regarded as the world’s finest in its field.

In addition to these, here is a folder of Aaditya’s achievements (within one and a half years) under Golovanov’s mentorship, including

• –Prize Award of the Australian Mathematics Trust, which is given to only one student in the region, 2025.
• –Gold Medal of the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) for scoring perfect in the CLMC contest of the CMS, 2025.
• –Honorable Mention in the Purple Comet Math Meet organized by Awesome Academy, USA, 2025.
• –Honorable Mention, Algebra Paper, Stanford Math Tournament (SMT), 2025
• –Honorable Mention for the ‘AMMOC Team B’ in Power, Team, and Gut round that Aaditya led for the Stanford Math Tournament (SMT), 2025
• –Distinguished Honorable Mention, Algebra Paper, Berkeley Math Tournament (BMT), 2024
• –Performance with Honors in the Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge, COMC-2024.
• –Certificate of Credit, Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC-Australia), 2024.

For those committed to mathematics—whether for competitive excellence or the pursuit of theoretical depth—AMMOC stands among the finest programs available. The extraordinary research works, knowledge, and achievements of AMMOC’s alumni, many of whom have earned full scholarships for undergraduate mathematics at institutions like Princeton, Caltech, Columbia, UChicago, UToronto, and KAIST, have inspired Aaditya to pursue pure mathematics at the undergraduate level and beyond.

Ecaterina McCormick¶

I am Ecaterina McCormick. In July 2023, my son, Thomas McCormick, began his journey at AMMOC under the mentorship of Yaashaa Golovanov, his mentor and teacher. Since then, the transformation in his mathematical skills has been truly remarkable, as evidenced by the following achievements as a continued protégé of AMMOC: Certificate of Merit at the BMO (I); High Distinction in the Australian AMC-2025; Gold Medal at the SMC (2025); qualified to appear for the BMO I-2025; Certificate of Merit in Hamilton Math Olympiad-2025 (UKMT); Gold Medal in IMC-2025 (UKMT); Silver Medal in SMC-2024 (UKMT); Distinction in Australian Mathematics Competition-2024; Performance with Honors in Canadian Jay Mathematics Contest (CJMC)-2024 of the Canadian Mathematical Society; and a High Distinction in Australian Mathematics Competition-2023. Please find copies of these certificates here.

AMMOC is an international math circle of formidable repute, credited with reviving mathematical education in the style quintessential to the USSR. All seminars are taught by Yaashaa Golovanov himself. Additionally, AMMOC’s senior scholarly disciples, Sarthak (now a student at Princeton on a full scholarship, Class of 2029), Parth Andhare, and Prasanna offer intensive regular additional support in the form of problem-solving. The services of these senior pupils are provided free of charge and are available only to those whom Yaashaa Golovanov deems fit. Furthermore, as a parent, I have only paid fees for Yaashaa Golovanov’s direct lessons. As part of his ‘academic norms and culture,’ senior pupils impart knowledge solely for the sake of pedagogy and intellectual value.

AMMOC consistently pushes students to reach their highest potential, ensuring they are well-prepared and confident. The curriculum is exceptionally rigorous, and the lecture style mirrors that of university mathematics courses typically taught by mathematicians at leading institutions of higher learning worldwide.

• –By forcing 12-year-olds to contextually locate mathematical doubts within the broader horizon of actual mathematical theory (Analysis on Manifolds, Linear Algebra, Abstract Algebra, and Differential Geometry), it builds an unshakeable foundation that standard enrichment programs simply do not have the time or structure to enforce.

This approach to mathematical education has led to successful preparation for prestigious contests across continents and a seamless transition to university studies in pure mathematics. It is an extraordinary feat that, within barely five years since its creation, AMMOC has guided eight students (five of whom are international—outside the USA) to gain admission to some of the world’s most prestigious universities [that too, on full scholarship], including Princeton, Caltech, UChicago, Columbia, Imperial College London, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, Purdue, UIUC, USC, Reed College, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Toronto, among others.

AMMOC’s recommendation that, during their academic years, students must participate in several exams across continents has proven highly effective, as evidenced by the outstanding results achieved by every mentee, not just a select few. My son, Tommy, thoroughly enjoys each session, despite the high complexity of the theoretical mathematics presented. Yaashaa Golovanov embodies everything one could hope for in an exceptional teacher, mentor, and inspirer, combining a profound understanding of mathematics with immense passion. I wholeheartedly recommend joining him and his rigorous, structured program—AMMOC, an international math circle.

Somesh Ganny¶

I am Somesh Ganny. Since May 2023, my daughter, Ishika Ganny, has been under the academic mentorship and teaching instruction of Yaashaa Golovanov at AMMOC. My daughter started as his student at his AMMOC after her 10th grade, where she missed qualifying for the AMC-10.

Within a span of six months, Mr. Golovanov pushed her math skill a lot due to his daily basis proofs and problem-solving classes and helped her [during grade 11] qualify for

• –AIME, through AMC-12 of the Mathematical Association of USA.
• –Distinction in the Australian Math Contest, the flagship contest of the Australian Math Trust.
• –And a few more notable international contests.

In addition to just helping Ishika learn the art of writing abstract proofs in mathematics and proficiency in math contests, he has been an amazing mentor, providing guidance and assistance to plan for my daughter’s college. I am very happy to share that my daughter has received admits (for EECS, class of 2029) from UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, the University of Illinois Urbana, Purdue, UC-Boulder, and the University of Southern California. He urges students to push themselves and find new limits in their thoughts and capabilities. Each student of AMMOC participates in various virtual contests across continents. We feel honored and blessed to have Mr. Golovanov as a mentor, guide, and teacher for our daughter. He is an honored teacher with dedication and commitment. He has started his math circle, AMMOC, in pursuit of creating great engineers, mathematicians, and scientists of the future.

Note for incoming students at AMMOC—Assignments are regular and mandatory for submission. Each class happens in a highly structured and cohesive group of mathematically equivalent students (in single digits).

My daughter is not the only one who has improved her math so well at AMMOC; each student has the same success story in math competitions and winning admissions and scholarships across most prestigious universities in the USA, Canada, Europe, and Asia. We have a parent group in which we can see the level of enthusiasm and pride each parent has about their child learning under Yaashaa Golovanov.

AMMOC’s curriculum is extremely demanding and structured in the style of famed Russian math education, and if you get a chance to be part of this premier virtual math circle, please don’t hesitate, and you should consider joining AMMOC. It has over a dozen students from the US and Canada. Others are from Europe and India.

Badis Labbedi¶

I am Badis Labbedi, Raslene Labbedi’s older brother. I study Theoretical Physics and Mathematics at the University of Chicago. I’m very pleased to testify that Raslene’s experience with the Arnold & Marsden International Mathematical Circle has been defined by rigorous instruction, disciplined structure, and clear academic growth. AMMOC’s curriculum is demanding and conceptually deep, pushing students well beyond standard contest preparation and into real mathematical thinking. Under the mentorship of Dr. Yaashaa P. Golovanov, Raslene received sustained teaching and an intensive summer program that built both technical strength and intellectual maturity. The academic guidance has been decisive. Director Golovanov teaches mathematics for its own sake—with genuine enjoyment, patience, and a level of care that is increasingly rare. He recognized potential in Raslene from the start and chose to support him without letting financial circumstances become a barrier. That decision mattered. It gave Raslene access to a learning environment he would not otherwise have had, and it kept him moving on an academic trajectory he cares deeply about. Having access to someone like Yaashaa Golovanov, who lives and teaches mathematics with this kind of sincerity, has shaped Raslene’s attitude toward the subject and broadened his ambitions. This environment also supported his work on journal-style writing, including three published solutions in Mathematical Reflections (Issue 4, 2024). Competition results reflect this training: AIME Qualifier with Special Honour of Distinction (AMC 10B), distinctive awards at the 2025 Stanford Math Tournament, Purple Comet (ranked 38th out of 1401 teams), International Math Bowl (Top 5 of 1008 teams), AMC Intermediate Certificate of Credit, multiple Math League International medals, and 1st Rank Gold Medal at Masder National Maths Competition. These outcomes were the product of systematic preparation rather than isolated effort. AMMOC’s influence extended beyond competitions. AMMOC—an extraordinary, scientifically rigorous program—strengthened Raslene’s academic profile and played a meaningful role in his acceptance into competitive high school scholarship programs, including a seat at WK UWC South Africa. Beyond credentials, AMMOC helped him develop discipline, independence, and long-range academic direction. In short, AMMOC has been transformative. It provided rigorous training, genuine mentorship, and the kind of mathematical environment that changes how a student sees the subject. It will remain central to Raslene’s development as he continues into the next stage of his mathematical education.

Madani Harouach Valensi¶

I began my journey at AMMOC in March, and to be honest, I was extremely nervous. During my very first session, I felt completely lost; I didn’t understand anything. I was the only student raising my hand to ask questions, which made me feel like the “weakest link” in the room. I didn’t realize then that this was just the beginning of a necessary transformation.

The curriculum is demanding. The trigonometry problems from Mr. Sedrakyan’s book were particularly brutal hurdles. To overcome them, I had to completely overhaul my work ethic. I learned my formulas religiously and sacrificed immediate social pleasures for long-term goals. There were nights I studied until 4:00 AM, and I dedicated my entire summer to catching up.

Being surrounded by peers who work incredibly hard forced me to match their intensity. That pressure forged a new level of tenacity in me.

If I had to describe AMMOC in three words, it would be “hard,” “autonomous,” and “demanding.” You are largely on your own to do the work. The social side is mostly shared struggle—like with my classmate Parth. We have a running joke where I roast him for being bad at Algebra, and he makes fun of me for being worse than him at Geometry. The transformation on the scoreboard has been absolute:

• –AMC 12 A: Scored 145.5/150. This is a near-perfect score.
• –French Mathematical Olympiad: Qualified for the 2nd Round with a Perfect Score.
• –Berkeley Math Tournament (BMT): Distinguished Honorable Mention in both Algebra and Geometry.
• –Penn Math Contest: 2nd Place (Short Answer Division).
• –Canada Lynx Mathematical Competition (CLMC): Honourable Mention (International Championship).
• –Australian Math Competition: High Distinction.
• –Contributing member of the winning team AMMOC at the PuMAC (Princeton) and BMT (Berkeley).
• –Certificate of Distinction in the Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge, COMC, 2025.

My journey has been defined by a rigorous transition from discrete algebra to continuous analysis. I have mastered the formal definitions and proofs surrounding Set Theory, specifically focusing on cardinality, equipotence, and the profound implications of Cantor’s Theorem regarding the uncountability of the power set of natural numbers and the real numbers themselves. I defined real numbers through Cauchy sequences and explored the properties of contraction mappings, continuity in metric spaces, and the density of rationals in reals.

I have tackled complex Algebraic inequalities and polynomial theory. I have documented the applications of Chebyshev’s and Karamata’s inequalities to optimization problems and convex functions, while also detailing the construction of Taylor polynomials and the axiomatic structures of rings, fields, and algebraically closed systems. Furthermore, I have systematized high-level problem-solving strategies, compiling explicit techniques for resolving functional equations over integers and natural numbers, such as checking for injectivity, using modular arithmetic, and analyzing functional composition.

Upon my rigorous foundations in Analysis and Set Theory, I have significantly expanded my field of view into advanced problem-solving strategies for Olympiad-level Algebra. I have moved from theoretical structures to mastering concrete techniques for resolving complex equations in one or more variables, utilizing substitutions to simplify irrational, reciprocal, and high-degree polynomials. I have also developed a specific methodology for handling equations with parameters.

Ananya Kalia¶

My name is Ananya Kalia, and I am currently a Grade 9 student in Canada who joined AMMOC in December of Grade 7.

Before AMMOC, math was something I practiced but not something I deeply understood. I spent time on Khan Academy, solving problems and learning concepts, but everything felt disconnected. There was no clear structure, no long-term vision, and no sense of what it meant to truly think mathematically. I enjoyed solving problems, but I didn’t yet know how to approach challenging ones and didn’t have the tools to persist when things got difficult.

Joining AMMOC changed that completely.

From the very beginning, working with Yaashaa Golovanov, Sir introduced me to a different world of mathematics, one that was not about speed or memorization but about depth, patterns, and creative thinking. The curriculum is rigorous and carefully designed. Each topic built on the previous one, and nothing felt random. There was a clear purpose behind every concept, every problem set, and every discussion.

What stood out the most was the level of commitment required. Homework was not just about completing questions; it was about struggling with them, sitting with ideas, and learning how to think independently. There were many moments where I felt stuck, where solutions didn’t come easily, and where I had to push through frustration. But over time, I began to realize that those moments were the most important ones. That is where real learning was happening by carefully scrutinizing and uncovering the intuition and rigor in each step of proofs of theorems and exercises taken from extremely rigorous books taught widely at the upper UG and grad levels. For example, consider the case of our deep dive in the world of combinatorics through the remarkable text of Miklos Bona, a mathematician trained at MIT and a faculty member at the University of Florida.

AMMOC taught me how to approach problems I had never seen before. It taught me patience, persistence, and how to break down complex ideas into manageable steps. More importantly, it changed my mindset, from trying to “get the answer” to trying to truly understand the process.

This journey led to three of the most meaningful milestones for me:

• –Qualifying for the AIME and scoring a 7/15 in Grade 9,
• –A Distinguished Honorable Mention in the geometry paper of the Stanford Math Tournament, 2026.
• –Led my team to a remarkable victory, “Honorable Mention,” in the prestigious Purple Comet Math Meet, 2026.

That moment did not feel like luck or a one-time achievement. It felt like the result of everything that came before, the hours spent thinking, the mistakes made, the concepts slowly built over time. It was my first real victory in mathematics, and it felt different from anything I had experienced before. It wasn’t just about the score; it was about knowing that I had reached a level I once thought was far beyond me.

Along the way, I have also received recognition in several other math contests. Each one has been a learning experience, helping me identify my strengths and weaknesses and pushing me to improve further.

But more than the achievements, what matters most to me is the psychological and mathematical transformation. Mathematics is no longer just a subject; it is something I genuinely enjoy exploring. I am more confident in my abilities, more comfortable with challenges, and more motivated to keep improving. AMMOC made mathematics just a natural extension of who I am as an individual.

My journey at AMMOC is still ongoing, and I know there is much more to learn. But reaching this point has shown me what is possible with the right guidance, structure, and effort. It has taught me that success in mathematics is not about being naturally talented but about being consistent, curious, and willing to work through difficulties.

This is only the beginning, and I am excited to see where this journey takes me next, especially when I am being introduced to a much more formal world of pure mathematics—theory of groups, vector spaces, and mathematical analysis at this tender age of 14!

Shrivathsan Krishnan¶

My name is Jayanthi Raghavan, and I did my PhD at the University of Windsor, Canada, in the fields of machine learning and computer vision. I am writing this review on behalf of my son, Shrivathsan Krishnan, a protégé of AMMOC.

Honest perspective of Shrivathsan:

I am currently finishing my freshman year of high school in Canada and started my journey at AMMOC 2 years ago.

Before my journey had begun at AMMOC, my knowledge of mathematics was quite basic; it had only barely extended beyond the school curriculum that I was taught, and I had no consistent way of expanding upon my knowledge. I would prepare for contests by attempting past papers and would rarely take time out of my day to explore topics I wasn’t comfortable with. I would fear that I would not be able to understand those topics and instead spend time on more understandable topics from my view.

AMMOC had completely shattered my lasting fear. From the very beginning of my journey at AMMOC, I was introduced to a realm of different ideas and principles. Sir Yaashaa Golovanov did not mind if we had failed to complete a problem correctly; he had emphasized understanding of the topics above all else and was completely open to doubts on any topics his students may have. This allowed me to step into unfamiliar territory, such as writing formal proofs, solving many difficult problems, and even attempting questions from many national Olympiads around the world. Sir’s efforts to improve our understanding of topics without the fear of making mistakes had led me to overcome my old fear and attempt those problems, which I never would have even dreamed about before.

Aside from the principles surrounding AMMOC, the mathematical environment at AMMOC was completely distinct from anything I had ever experienced before; the classes had broken down important, rigorous ideas in an effective manner; homework was regularly assigned to us at the end of each class, with each problem requiring effort to finish; and typing our works had become a necessity, providing a record of our complete learning during our time at AMMOC.

During my stay at AMMOC, I feel that my problem-solving skills have been sharpened by Sir’s teachings; with the experience I have gained from working on rigorous proof-based problems, I have also sprouted a newer interest in submitting problems within problem-solving journals. Over the past year, I have had a total of 9 different submissions recognized by the Crux Mathematicorum and Mathematical Reflections, the former of which is widely regarded as one of the best problem-solving journals in the entire world. Furthermore, my journey at AMMOC had also led to my success in contests hosted by two of Canada’s most important mathematical bodies, the CMS and the CEMC:

In contests hosted by the CEMC, I have received 10 different honors in 5 different contests, including an appearance in the national honor roll in the recent Fryer contest.

In contests hosted by the CMS, I have received 4 different honors across the CLMC and CJMC. Specifically, within the CJMC I was able to achieve 4th place in my respective region.

While I have more honors in other examinations and contests, my journey at AMMOC has also taught me that the transformation in one’s philosophy when it comes to problem-solving and the way one approaches the very essence of mathematics is far more vital than the achievements or honors one may achieve in some contests.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the fact that this is simply the beginning of my journey at AMMOC. I must overcome many more obstacles and challenges along the voyage, but through hard work, I hope to explore the boundless possibilities that the field of mathematics provides.

Nihad Hashimov¶

To begin with, I want to start by quoting the exact words of Yaashaa Golovanov, sir, as he texted me back in 2023 when I applied to AMMOC.

“I don’t want your financial hardship to be an obstacle in your interest and devotion to mathematics. For this reason, I am recruiting you based on your financial status.”—Yaashaa Golovanov.

I am Nihad Hashimov. I am an incoming student on a full scholarship to study UG in pure mathematics at KAIST, South Korea. You can find more details about me at my webpage.

As Yaashaa Golovanov, sir, often says, life is defined by moments, not the span of time. This was a defining moment of my life!

So, when I came across AMMOC—an international math circle in December 2023—and read its website thoroughly, I could not fathom the monumental achievements of students at AMMOC—ranging from topmost IMO & EGMO to every other prestigious math competition, doing individual guided research in pure mathematics, and studying university-level courses—all under just one person, the founding director and sole instructor of AMMOC—Yaashaa Golovanov, Sir.

I had an instant urge to join this rigorous math community to deepen my understanding of pure mathematics. I applied, passed the entrance exam, and thus, for the first time, I met with Yaasha P. Golovanov. In the meeting, I expressed my interest and the source of my interest, lifelong goals, and how mathematics is a pivotal factor for me to achieve those ambitions. However, there was a financial barrier for me to attending AMMOC, and when I informed Sir Yaasha P. Golovanov that I was not able to join due to my financial status, a wonder happened, as I explained at the start!

In a word, Dear Yaasha Sir, I am grateful that fate made us meet. I am grateful that I have learned and researched abstract algebra & mathematical analysis and achieved so much under your guidance, which played a pivotal role in all my successful applications to KAIST, HKUST, the University of Hong Kong, and the University of Edinburgh, each one with a full scholarship. I and my family would always be thankful for your support. I appreciate your devotion to mathematics and raising future mathematicians. Thank you for being such a wholehearted person.