Matematička gimnazija

Matematička gimnazija (Serbian Cyrillic: Математичка гимназија Београд, English: Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, abbr. "MG" or "MGB"), is a special school for gifted and talented students of mathematics, physics and informatics located in Belgrade, Serbia. It is ranked number one at International Science Olympiads by the number of medals won by its students (more than 400).

The School has developed its own Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade curriculum^[1][2][3] in various mathematics, physics, and IT subjects. There are approx. 160 professors employed, mostly scientists. One half of the professors come from University of Belgrade staff, Institute of Physics Belgrade, and Mathematical Institute of Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. More than half of the professors are former students of the School.

School's staff maintains connections to, collaborates with, and frequently visits world's leading scientific institutions, such as CERN, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research – Dubna, Lomonosov Moscow State University, UC Berkeley, Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick University, Imperial College London.

During the previous decade, students received full scholarships for UC Berkeley, Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick University, Imperial College London, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, Columbia University, Stanford University, Harvard University, University College London. The rest mostly obtain full scholarships from University of Belgrade.

The School has 550 students, aged 12–19. There are 155 girls, and 395 boys.^[4]

The average professors' work experience is 18 years.^[5]

School fame

Mathematical Gymnasium 40th anniversary celebration in September 2006. The guest list included Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica, Belgrade mayor Nenad Bogdanović, cabinet ministers, foreign ambassadors, former principals and directors, alumni, and businessmen.

Mathematical Gymnasium is ranked as number one in the world in the field of mathematics. The School is famous for its unique results in international competitions and for results its students achieve at later stages of their university education.

The School has approx. 2,000 PhD holders in its alumni, and approx. 6,000 Master of Science degree holders. Its advanced curriculum earned it an esteemed reputation as the breeding ground for future scientists, researchers, and industry leaders.

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade is unique for its success in International Science Olympiads in Mathematics, Physics, Informatics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Earth Sciences: its students have won more than 400 medals so far, on all 5 continents of the world.^[6]

Latest examples include: 12 medals in 2009 in International Science Olympiads only, around 25 medals in total in 2009 alone,^[7] 23 medals in 2010 in International Science Olympiads only, around 40 medals in total in 2010 alone.^[8]

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade – IMO 2010 – ranked number one in the world in the field of mathematics.

Serbian President Boris Tadić and Minister of Education Žarko Obradović with Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade students.

In 2010, as well as in 2009, Mathematical Gymnasium won the first prize and title of "Absolute Winner" at international competition in Moscow, organized by Special School "Kolmogorov" under Moscow State University – Lomonosov (Специализированный учебно-научный центр Московского государственного университета им.М.В.Ломоносова – Школа им.А.Н.Колмогорова).^[8][9]

The School is ranked as number one school in the world in the field of mathematics, taking the lead from Russian Special School "Kolmogorov",^[9] (which operates under Moscow University), and is among the best 5 in physics and in informatics in the world, for its continuous success in International Science Olympiads.

Mathematical Gymnasium stands out with its own curriculum,^[1][2][3] focusing on natural sciences, especially mathematics, physics, and computer programming.

History

First generation of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade students

National Theater and Ballet performance, honoring success of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade students at International Mathematics Olympiad and International Physics Olympiad, at one of the schools anniversaries. Mathematics and Physics together, science and human ability to create and destroy, a metaphor by National Ballet dancers in National Opera House. 19 September 2006.

The School was established in 1966, following the model of Kolmogorov School at Moscow University which had been launched in Moscow a year earlier, in 1965, under Lomonosov Moscow State University, by one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century, Andrei Nikolayevich Kolmogorov, and which was later named after him – Kolmogorov School.

In 1977, as part of a statewide education reform in former Yugoslavia, the School was merged into the streamlined secondary education (in Serbian: srednje usmereno obrazovanje), thus cancelling many, but not all, specifics and advantages over other schools. At that time principal, Milan Raspopović was desperately pulling strings in scientific and policy-making community to re-establish special status, special rights, special funding, and special curriculum. As a result, eleven years later, in 1988, the School was officially re-established as a specialized school, this time in the form of experimental education institution.^[10] New curriculum was officially published in 1989, in Official Gazette of Socialist Republic of Serbia, no.2, 15 April 1989.^[11]

The "experimental status" finally concluded in 1995, when the School was recognized as a "Specialized school for talented/gifted students in mathematics, informatics, physics and other natural sciences" by the Serbian Ministry of Education. At the same time, the School was given the status of a "school of special national importance", as the first school of its kind in Yugoslavia.^[12]

Although MGB is formally classified as a special secondary school ("srednja škola", grades nine to twelve in the Serbian education system, for funding and other legal reasons), it enrolls experimental classes of the seventh and eighth grade primary school (age 12 and above). It is the only school in Serbia and in all states formed from former Yugoslavia that has merged elementary school (or part of it) and high school.

Students of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade have the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) compared to students from other schools and the same rule applies to their university studies, whether is Serbia or abroad.

See also: Academic grading in Serbia and Education in Serbia.

List of school principals

The School had 6 principals in its 45 years long history, all of whom are authors of university, high school, and elementary school textbooks and accompanying collections of solved problems and questions. Five principals were mathematicians, and one – and the longest serving principal – was a physicist.

Five MGB principals with Doctor of Sciences titles, and one with Doctor of Science title, earned their degrees at University of Belgrade, and served as university professors and as professors at Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade.

Competitions

First Youth Olympic Games, Singapore, 14–26 August 2010. 32 representatives of Serbia. Leaders of National Team were Katarina Biserčić (European shooting champion) and Luka Milićević (gold medal winner in mathematics, informatics, and astronomy, from international scientific Olympiads; student of D-division of Mathematical Gymnasium). After graduating from Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade in 2010, Luka Milićević received full scholarship and enrolled prestigious Trinity College at University of Cambridge, UK.

The School prepares students for various national and international competitions science competitions. As of 2012 Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade students had won several hundred medals from top international competitions around the world. They won 121 medals at International Science Olympiads, about the same number at Junior Olympiads, and about double that number at other top competitions, mostly in USSR, Russia, China, India, and Europe.

International Olympiads

MGB students have won many national and international awards.^[14][15][16]

International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, China, 12–21 September 2010. Serbia was represented by 5 members team, all of whom were students of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, MGB. They won 4 medals and one honorable mention: 1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze, 1 honorable mention.

Year 2009

In 2009 only, during July and August, students of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade have won 12 medals in International Olympiads: 5 medals in Olympiads in Mathematics, 4 medals in International Physics Olympiad, 3 medals in International Olympiad in Informatics, 3 medals in International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1 medal and 3 honorable mentions in International Astronomy Olympiad.^[17]

Total number of gold, silver and bronze medals, and honorable mentions, won in various international competitions in 2009 is 70.^[17]

Year 2010

At 2010 International Mathematics Olympiad (5–15 July 2010, Kazakhstan), Serbia was represented by a team of 6 competitors, all 6 students from Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, 15–19 years old. The result is Serbia ranks 10th in the world, with 1 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze medal won, and the Mathematical Gymnasium school ranks as the best (rank: 1) school among all special and/or regular schools in the world.^[18][19]

Serbian Minister of Youth and Sports, congratulating MGB students and professors.

Serbian Minister of Education, congratulating MGB students and professors.

In 2010, students of Mathematical Gymnasium have won 28 medals and honorable mentions^[27] namely: at 2010 Olympiad in Mathematics (5–15 July 2010, Kazakhstan^[18]) 6 medals: 1 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze;^{[20][21][22][23]} at Euler's Russian Olympiad in Mathematics (24–27 March 2010, Russia^[26]), Mathematical Gymnasium was the only non-Russian competitor and its 4-members team won 4 medals: 2 silver and 2 bronze;^[28] in highly selective Romanian Master in Mathematics (24 February – 2 March 2010, Romania): 2 silver and 1 bronze medal, and 1 honorable mention (Romanian Master in Mathematics is an olympiad for the selections of the 20 top countries in the last IMO. The level of the competition is IMO-like. The format had been 4 problems in 5 hours in 2009, in 2010 it was changed to 3 problems in 4 hours, two days format.); at XXVII Balkan Mathematical Olympiad^[25] (3–8 May, Moldavia) 6 medals: 2 gold, 2 bronze, 2 silver; at International competition "Archimedes" (7–18 June 2010, Bucharest), Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade won the first place, and its 6 students took 6 medals: 3 gold and 3 silver medals;^[29] at XIV Junior Balkan Mathematical Olympiad (18–22 June 2010): 1 silver medal and 1 honorable mention.^[24]

Year 2011

This table should be updated (6 November 2011), as the school has won several gold, silver, and bronze medals in IMO, IPhO, Informatics Olympiad, Science Olympiad, etc. In All Russian Mathematical Competition, organized by Specialized Educational Scientific Center of Moscow State University - School. AN Kolmogorov, http://www.mathschool.ru/show.html?id=365, (October 31 - November 5, 2011), Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade won "The Absolute First Prize in all categories", and one of MGB students, Teodor von Burg, won the gold medal, first prize, and maximum number of points. This is the 2nd time MGB wins the Kolmogorov competition. Section 2011 should be updated ASAP.

(Table last edited: 1 March 2011)

Other prizes and awards

Erste Group Erste Bank Club 27: winner of Grand Prize 2010, Luka Milićević, MGB student

The Men Magazine award "The MEN of the Year 2010" went to 4 MGB students: Teodor fon Burg, Rade Špegar, Stevan Gajović, and Filip Živanović.

Students of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade win many other prizes, other than International Science Olympiads.

As part of the "27 Club", which Erste Bank implemented for the third consecutive year in 2010, with the aim to promote talented young people and help them to get well-deserved public recognition for their work and the results, 2010 year's award winners were declared. In the category of science, the winner of a Grand Prize was Luka Milićević,^[30] and the winner of Erste Bank Prize in the field of natural and technical sciences and technology was Dušan Milijančević. Both students are final year students of D-division of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade.

At Microsoft's Imagine Cup, students of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade were in finals, among top 6 teams in the world.^[31]

Other numerous medals from the Balkans Olympiads in Mathematics, Physics and Informatics are being won every year.^[14]

The Men Magazine award "The MEN of the Year 2010" went to 4 MGB students: Teodor fon Burg, Rade Špegar, Stevan Gajović, and Filip Živanović.

MGB student Rade Špegar gave a short speech at the ceremony about achievements in mathematics, physics, and informatics, and stresses the support the students receive from their professors (teachers). He also noted how important role sports play in everyday life in Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, and explained how various sports sections function and how self-organization plays an important role, both in sports and in science.

Working hours and shifts

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade is open from 07:00 to 21:00.
Lectures are usually held from 07:45 to 13:55, and from 14:00 to 19:20.^[32][33]

Weekends are used for extracurricular activities, in and out of school.^[32]

Curriculum and core subjects

Main areas of study are divided into sub-branches or sub-disciplines. Courses are delivered on a per-semester basis.

Mathematics

Mathematics is divided into fields of Algebra, Geometry, Linear Algebra, Analytical Geometry, Mathematical Analysis, Probability, Statistics, Numerical Analysis, and Selected Chapters in Mathematics.

Physics

Physics Lab 1, Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade

Physics Lab 3, Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade

Due to additional sources of funding, physics and computer labs in the School are equipped with the latest and state-of-the-art technology. Physics Department of MGB collaborates with many top ranked institutes in the world, and with all Yugoslav and Serbian physics and engineering institutes, including Vinča Institute for Nuclear Sciences, Institute of Physics Belgrade, Institute "Michael Pupin" (Serbian: "Mihajlo Pupin"), Faculty of Electrical Engineering, and departments of physics and of engineering of all Serbian state universities.

Physics is taught from Newtonian mechanics, Fluid Dynamics, Waves, Optics, Electricity, Magnetism, to modern physics, usually ending with STR, Relativistic Dynamics, Quantum Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Molecular Physics, Physical Chemistry, Atomic Physics, Solid State Physics, Quantum Optics, Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Elementary Particle Physics, and introduction to Astrophysics and Cosmology, General Relativity, and some basic introduction to String Theory, Cosmology, and M-Theory.

Informatics and computer science

ICT and Computer Lab 1, Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade

ICT and Computer Lab 2, Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade

There are 5 computer labs in Mathematical Gymnasium, with ca. 110 dual core and quad core computers, and one super-computer. The School operates its own wireless network. Students gain knowledge in programming languages (Pascal, Delphi, C, C++, C#, Java; Fortran; Prolog), operating systems (Windows, Linux, Unix), databases and DBMS (Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL), and in various IT and ICT fields.

There are 10 two-semester (2×19 weeks) IT courses students must pass during schooling. There is one special (additional) week in each semester, reserved for IT subjects only (so called "block classes"), for students to have lessons only in ICT subjects.

Business and finance

School offers modules in financial mathematics, as well as in business related studies, that broaden students' knowledge and help students connect mathematical knowledge, knowledge both in theoretical and experimental physics, and IT and ICT experience and theory, to a wide range of applications in a modern world and a future world society.

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade has a significant number of alumni work in a wide area of applied mathematics and applied physics, especially to economics and finance.

IT and ICT

IT infrastructure and facilities

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade is connected to Academic Network of Serbia (AMRES) via 1 Gbit/s optical cables. Internet connection is being realised through Computing Center of University of Belgrade (RCUB), using two independent links: Primary RCUB link has 1 Gbit/s capacity over Hungarian academic Network – HUNGARNET, through which the Internet access and the connection with the European Academic Network – GÉANT are being realised; secondary RCUB Internet link is being realized over Telekom Srbija, with the capacity of 34 Mbit/s. In comparison to the primary link, this one is of a lower capacity, therefore it is being used for traffic exchange with local Internet providers and as a backup link in the event of a primary link failure.

Apart from these connections, RCUB realises traffic exchange with certain local Internet providers (Internet peering), in order to enable AMRES users to have a more efficient communication with local Internet providers' users. In this way, following connections have been realised:

• Serbian Broad Band Communications (SBB) – traffic exchange over 1 Gbit/s link, used with 30 Mbit/s,
• Serbian Post, Telegraph, and Telephone State Company (PTT) – traffic exchange over 1 Mbit/s link,
• Internet Exchange on the Faculty of Electrical Engineering : it is being used for traffic exchange with Eunet, AVCOM, VeratNet and YUBC Internet providers. The link has 1 Gbit/s capacity, while the effective traffic, approximately, has 20 Mbit/s flow.

ICT and Computer Lab 3, Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade

ICT and Computer Lab 4, Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade administers main physics and IT laboratories for distance learning in Serbian schooling system and develops plans to distribute its lab-time and resources to other elementary and high schools throughout Serbia and region. This mission is supported by strong optical Internet links and grid networks of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, Computing Center of University of Belgrade (RCUB), Academic Network of Serbia (AMRES), and Scientific Computing Lab of the Institute of Physics Belgrade.

Magazine Info Review Published 10 page article about ICT and IT infrastructure in Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, in English and in Serbian Language,^[34] sponsored by Siemens.

History of school's IT Department

ICT and Computer Lab 5L – laptop, Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade

The first professor of programming in MGB was Ljubomir Protić, professor at University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mathematics, who started teaching programming subjects from school year 1968/69.; 33 years later, professor Protić served as Principal of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade (2001–2004).

From 1969 Boško Jovanović joined informatics division, teaching programming subjects. Ge is chief of chair of Department of Numerical mathematics and Its Applications at the Faculty of Mathematics, University of Belgrade.

Later on, many University of Belgrade professors, primarily from Faculty of Mathematics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, and Faculty of Physics, as well as from Belgrade Institute of Physics and from Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, joined informatics teaching staff at Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade.

School's IT club

CEO of Microsoft Development Center Serbia, Dejan Cvetković, himself a former student and graduate of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, with students who ranked among best 6 teams in the world, and with Snežana Samardžić Marković, Serbian Minister for youth and sports. Vladan Simov, student of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, ranked 3rd at this prestigious world competition and won USD 3.000 prize from Microsoft.

Programmers club at Faculty of Electrical Engineering was opened by the MG alumni in 1983, by MG alumnus Dejan Ristanović (graduated in 1981).^[35] At the same time was opened Programmers club of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade. Dejan Ristanović and MGB alumni founded and run "PC Press" publishing house.^[36]

All of part-time ICT teachers and special ICT teachers are former MGB students.

More than 300 MG alumni, who worked for Microsoft in USA and Canada at the beginning of the new millennium, were the power behind the visit that Mr. Bill Gates paid to Serbia, when negotiating, with the then Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić and Belgrade Mayor Nenad Bogdanović (himself alumnus of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade)^[35] the possibilities for the opening of the first (and only) Microsoft Development Center in Europe (not including UK).^[37]

Microsoft Development Center Serbia, at the time the only Microsoft Development Center in Continental Europe (the other European Microsoft Development Centers being in United Kingdom, at the University of Cambridge, and in Ireland), is located in Belgrade. Its CEO is mr Dejan Cvetković, MGB alumnus, graduated from Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade in 1985.^[35]

MGB alumni hold some of the key positions at IT world leading companies such as Oracle, Siemens, IBM, or Serbian and European brands Saga , Informatika , CET , or Comtrade..^[38] Comtrade is owned and managed by MGB Alumni.

Sports

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade is very proud of success its students achieved throughout the School's 45 years rich history. Trophies won and medals are numerous, and come from many different sport disciplines. The School won Belgrade Trophy in football several times, national high-school championship in basketball, its handball team also won numerous medals. The School have students who trained or train in clubs Red Star and Partizan, to name a few.^[39]

School regularly plays and goes to tournaments in volleyball, handball, basketball, and football.^[39]

There is an active swimming section each generation have several divers among students.^[39]

Students train in karate, taekwondo, judo, and aikido.^[39]

There are active badminton and table tennis sections.^[39]

Mountaineering, biking, and hiking, are the most popular outdoor activities. Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade pay special attention to students' needs in the field of sports and recreation and organizes camping trips, recreational gatherings, biking trips, self-defense seminars, and gymnastics days.^[39]

Yachting was very popular during eighties and nineties, and the School had national team members who competed around the world.^[39]

Graduates and alumni

Belgrade Mayor, Mr. Nenad Bogdanović (deceased), giving speech at the MGB anniversary. Mr. Bogdanović was Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade alumnus, graduated 1973.^[35]

From about 8,000 graduates in the 40-year history of this school, more than 400 have obtained PhD degrees and 600 have obtained Magister of Science degrees. These numbers are to be taken with precautions since this is the number of only those who reported their PhD to MG authorities. It is widely believed that much greater number of MG graduates who hold PhDs from western countries never reported their status to MG authorities. MG statistics say the ratio is 1:5, meaning on every 1 alumni that obtains PhD title at Serbian universities there are 5 MG alumni who got their PhD in Western world, mostly at US universities: MIT, UC Berkeley, UCSB, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Caltech, Cooper Union, and Ivy League universities Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, Brown, the UPenn, Yale, Cornell, and Dartmouth College, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, and several other universities (mostly ETH Zurich, EPFL, Lomonosov Moscow State University, and Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel).

MG alumni holds university positions around the globe,^[40] but also managerial positions in prestigious world companies, since many of former MG graduates continue careers in business as Executive or Managing Directors of world banks^[41] and hold various business diplomas from notable institutions such as Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Kennedy School of Government and Politics at Harvard University (also known as Harvard Kennedy School and HKS), MIT Sloan School of Management, INSEAD, London School of Economics (LSE), Imperial College London, etc. MG Alumni is formally being established recently (in 2009) and started working in 2011, so data should become more accurate in future.

More than 99% of the MG graduates hold graduate university Diploma. Almost all of above mentioned 8,000 MG graduates hold at least M.Sc. in either Mathematics, Physics, or Engineering.^[42]

Former students of Mathematical Gymnasium are usually employed in special divisions and prepare pupils for international competitions and for entering exams for prestigious universities around the world, usually in UK and USA. Rastko Marinković, Vladimir Baltić, Miljan Knežević, Mladen Laudanović, Velibor Tintor, Vladimir Božin, Igor Devetak, Zlatko Filipović, Miloš Kojašević, Igor Salom, Predrag Milenović, Đorđe Krtinić, are some of the former students that held lectures, guided pupils' graduate theses, mentored special divisions, or prepared competitions and held competition seminars. Đorđe Krinić prepared and led 2010 Serbian Mathematics Olympiad Team, while Vesna Kadelburg, also a former student of Mathematical Gymnasium, led 2010 UK National Team, from her chair at University of Cambridge, where she obtained her PhD.

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade professor Nataša Čaluković and professors of Faculty of Physics, University of Belgrade, with students of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, at International Physics Olympiad.

European Physical Society, in its Euro Physics News Magazine, published an article "Inspiring Physics in Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade"^[43] about Physics teacher Nataša Čaluković from Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, and about results of Physics department of MGB. Authors, themselves distinguished physicists from University of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, and Institute of Physics Belgrade and former students of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade and of professor Nataša Čaluković, claim professor Čaluković's students made 36 appearances at the International Physics Olympiads, and were honored two gold medals, nine silver and twelve bronze medals, as well as ten honorable mentions. Professor Čaluković was herself student of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade (graduated 1974), before graduating from the Faculty of Physics, University of Belgrade; as a student of MGB, Nataša's professor and mentor was prof. dr Milan Raspopović, one of the founders of MGB, a physics and philosophy professor, and the longest serving Director and Principal of Mathematical Gymnasium.

Famous alumni also include athletes Slobodan Soro and Rajko Jokanović, chess player Alisa Marić, former Minister of Telecommunications and Information Society in the Government of Serbia Aleksandra Smiljanić, former Mayor of Belgrade Nenad Bogdanović...

Acceptance to UK and USA universities

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade alumni are usually accepted to universities of their choice, because the Curriculum is more advanced and demanding in the fields of mathematics and natural sciences than usual curricula (such as IBO or various national baccalaureates) and MGB students usually have no problem in passing qualification exams and/or interviews.

Luka Milićević, Dušan Milijančević, Ognjen Ivković, Nikola Mrkšić, Mihajlo Cekić, Aleksandar Vasiljković, and Dušan Perović, students of 4.d division of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, winners of 7 full scholarships for Trinity College, University of Cambridge, for 2010.

In 2010 Trinity College, Cambridge awarded 7 full scholarships to 7 pupils from a Special Division (grade 4 division D, or 4-d division) of Mathematical Gymnasium, namely to students Luka Milićević, Dušan Milijančević, Ognjen Ivković, Nikola Mrkšić, Mihajlo Cekić, Aleksandar Vasiljković and Dušan Perović.^[44][45][46] Trinity College awards, in total, 11 full scholarships per year per non-UK citizens, and 2 full scholarships per world region. This is the first time in history of Cambridge that 7 full scholarships were granted not only to one division, not only to one school, not only to one city and not only to one state, but also the first time that this large number of scholarships was awarded to one world region (e.g. North America or Europe are two regions). The same year, a former pupil, Ivana Milović, was awarded a full scholarship from Trinity College, Cambridge for master studies in mathematics.^[47] More pupils from MG were accepted to Cambridge, but there were no more full scholarships. Other students received scholarships from MIT and other UK and USA faculties and universities.^[48][49][50] This trend of enrolment of MG students at Cambridge continued in the following years, with MG graduates Ognjen Marković and Luka Ribar gaining full scholarships in 2011,^[51] and Nevena Nikolić, Igor Spasojević, Dušan Šobot, Tamara Šumarac and Petar Veličković in 2012.

Some students win more than one full scholarship. Notable examples are 2010 graduates Dušan Milijančević, who got full scholarships from University of Cambridge and from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT^[52] and Nataša Dragović, who got full scholarships from University of Oxford and from MIT.^[14]

Diploma relative value

MG graduate Diploma alone is treated as "Associate Degree" in named field, be it nuclear engineering, mathematics and IT, laser physics, or any other of 20 or so fields present in MG during its 40 years existence. However, due to old legal regulations in Serbia, graduates of MG are still obliged to start their university studies from year 1, even though many of university subjects are taught throughout MGB 6 years course (e.g. probability theory, statistics, mathematical analysis, numerical analysis, combinatorics, number theory, geometry, linear algebra, aanalytical geometry, algebra, various advanced physics topics such as atomic, solid state and nuclear physics).^[53] When leaving abroad for studies, MG graduates usually graduate faster than their peers (e.g. Ranko Lazić left MGB after 2nd grade (out of 4) to enroll to University of Oxford He is now professor at University of Oxford and at University of Warwick).^[54]

Collaboration

Matematička gimnazija collaborates with the highest ranking scientific institutions in Serbia and abroad. Collaboration is defined through various agreements on scientific, technical and educational cooperation. Students of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade are partly educated at the following institutions:

Cooperation and financial support

Telekom Serbia CEO Mr. Branko Radujko and MGB Director Srđan Ognjanović, after they signed a contract. Telecom Serbia invest in telecommunication infrastructure of MGB.

JAT Airways and MGB representatives signed a contract. JAT Airways invest in travel costs of MGB students at the top international competitions.

Mathematical Gymnasium also have contracts with JAT Airways^[31] (national air-traffic company), Telekom Srbija (Telecom Serbia, the largest telecom operator in former Yugoslavia and in modern Serbia),^[31] Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts,^[31] domestic and international scientific Institutes,^[31] etc.

Ministry of Science and Technology is one of a large scale investors in Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade. Its current Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić is a frequent guest in the School. This does not come as a surprise, since there are so many international competitions where MGB students regularly win medals.

Mr. Božidar Đelić visiting Physics Lab 1, Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade.

Đelić served 3 times as Minister of Finance and 2 times as Minister of Science and Technology. He also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for European Union affairs. During all his mandates, Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade enjoyed financial and technical support of Ministries he led. During his visit to MGB Physics Lab 1, Mr. Đelić said he sees MGB students and alumni as "the best ambassadors of Serbia and of Serbian and world science". He said he appreciates top achievements in education, since he himself won French national competitions for high-school students in history and economics in 1980 and 1981,^[57] and was educated at the Institut d'études politiques de Paris and later École des Hautes Études Commerciales in Paris where he graduated as a top student. In 1987 he received a double master's degree in economics at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales. He eventually moved to the United States, where he completed an Master of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, as well as a Master of Public Administration, specializing in macroeconomics and international relations, at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.^[58] His mentors were Alain Gomez, the chairman of Thomson SA, who taught him how to be a manager, and the economist Jeffrey Sachs, who took him along from Harvard to Warsaw and Moscow.^[59] Mr. Đelić promised Ministry of Science and Technology will continue to invest in MGB and expressed his personal wish that alumni of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade start returning to Belgrade and Serbia at least at the rate MGB graduates leave the country.

Enrollment

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade has built a reputation as an elite school throughout its 45 years of existence, with significant world stage highlights at the end of 1980s and during the 1990s, which led to increased number of candidates applying every year. Eventually the number of applicants far outnumbered the number of available spaces. Paid classes were introduced in 1997 for students whose parents were willing and able to pay for their education. This practice has continued since, enabling the School to keep its high teaching standards through budget improvements. Basic fees are 10,000 euros per year.

The School currently has four high-school grades (nine to twelve, or high school grades one to four), and two elementary-school grades (seven and eight; elementary school starts from grade zero). Due to recent changes in general law governing all public schools and institutions, all high-school classes are now financed by the state.

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade – side view, from a school's botanic garden.

To successfully enroll in the high school classes, candidates have to pass a special mathematics entrance exam, different from the statewide high-school mathematics entrance exam. Candidates are ranked according to the total score that combines result achieved at special MGB entrance exam (maximum of 120 points) and performance from previous elementary-school grades (maximum of 60 points). Preference is given to outstanding achievers at competitions and recipients of national prizes during the previous years of their education.

The ranking process for candidates enrolling in the elementary school classes is similar, with mathematics entrance exam (max. 120 points), performance from the previous grades in school (max. 60 points), and awards from state competitions in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or informatics (120 points).

State-controlled education in Serbia is free of charge, so there are no official enrollment fees, except the exam costs.

Distinguished guests

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade students with the Archbishop of Peć during his visit to Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, 25 January 2005. To the right of the archbishop is Principal Vladimir Dragović.

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade students with the Archbishop of Peć and Episcop (Bishop) Atanasije.
22 June 2010.

Visit of the Archbishop of Peć.
In this picture, viewers left to right, are: Principal Vladimir Dragović; acting Principal Srđan Ognjanović, Archbishop of Peć, professor Nataša Čaluković.

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade has been visited by many distinguished guests. Among notable guests outside the world of mathematics, physics and informatics, were, during last 5 years only (i.e. after 2005), among many others:

• then Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić,
• Serbian President Boris Tadić,
• then Belgrade Mayor Nenad Bogdanović, himself alumnus of MGB,^[35]
• then Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica,
• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia,
• Patriarch Irinej of Serbia,^[31][60][61]
• Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia,
• Katherine, Crown Princess of Yugoslavia,
• Kim Young-Hee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea.

Michael O'Sullivan, Director of the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, visited Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade.
This event was recorded by the Radio Television of Serbia, and students who received at least two scholarships were interviewed.
21 June 2010.

On Monday, 21 June 2010, Michael O'Sullivan, Director of the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust paid visit to Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade.^[62] O'Sullivan was greeted by Principal Srdjan Ognjanovic, Zoran Kadelburg, a professor of Mathematical Analysis, and MGB students who will continue their education in Cambridge. This event was recorded by the Radio Television of Serbia.

The cause for O'Sullivan's visit was that in 2009 16 students of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade were admitted to University of Cambridge. Two were female, and both received full scholarship from Trinity College, Cambridge,^[63] while in 2010 15 students enrolled in Cambridge, 7 of whom received full scholarships from Trinity College. Policy of scholarship granting of Trinity College of University of Cambridge allows maximum of 2 full scholarships per world regions (such as North America, or Europe, or Africa, or Indochina, etc.), and Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade excellent score caused exceptions in Trinity's policy year by year, and caused O'Sullivan to pay a visit to MGB.

Legal status

The School operates as a public school and acts as a member of Serbian education system, which is governed by the Ministry of Education.

Formally a part of former Yugoslav and now Serbian state educational system (i.e. financed by the state), Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade had a status of "experimental school", which allowed it to operate autonomously since its foundation.

It has fundings independent from general high school fundings and is helped both by the state and by the University of Belgrade. University pay scale applies to all employees.

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade has the following legal statuses:

• "Experimental school whose aim is to reinforce mathematical education for students which show a special gift for mathematics and natural sciences", according to the decision of the Educational Council of SR Serbia (Decision no. 110-32/89 from 18 January 1989);
• "School for talented students in the areas of mathematics and natural sciences", according to the decision of the Ministry of Education of Serbia;
• "School of special national interest", according to the decision of the Government of the Republic of Serbia. (please see picture on the right)

Teaching positions

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade professors: Srđan Ognjanović (Principal 2008 – ), Zoran Kadelburg (former Dean of Faculty of Mathematics), Ljubomir Protić (Principal 2002–2004, now Director of State Institute for textbooks "Zavod"), Svetlana Lana Jakšić (school database administrator).

Teaching position in Mathematical Gymnasium comprises a timetable of 18 hours per week for "ordinary professors", and up to 12 hours of teaching for "special professors" (usually called "special teachers") in special divisions (usually university employed staff, or institute researchers, former MG students from special divisions, many still studying at university level).

There is no institution of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in Serbia, other than university diploma in appropriate scientific field. Since MG curriculum is scientifically much more demanding than international curricula (such as International Baccalaureate), it is school's policy to appoint professors mostly from former MG graduates, themselves holders of various awards from domestic and international competitions.

In general, Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade appoints scientists from universities and institutes, and alumni of Mathematical Gymnasium with a proven track record in domestic and international competitions, with strong talent and passion for teaching, and with high pedagogical qualities. Thus, teaching staff of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade includes several generations of School and university professors and their present day colleagues and former students, and former students' students, which brings unique spirit to the teaching and scientific community of the School. Many scientific puzzles are brought to students' attention as their professors tend to discuss scientific problems and ideas freely among themselves and students, mixing regular lessons with contemporary scientific ideas, puzzles, and projects they work on.

MGB teachers usually collaborate on international scientific programs and, from time to time, publish specialized textbooks for use in Mathematical Gymnasium.

Most of the textbooks in mathematics and ICT, and all of the textbooks in physics, used in elementary and high schools in Serbia, are written by professor of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade.

MGB students regularly win full scholarships from leading universities around the globe, and some of them later return to teach in Mathematical Gymnasium.

Teaching staff

Professors' coffee break and study room, Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade

Mathematical Gymnasium usually employs former students of the School as "special teachers", many of whom are still students or graduate students, to work in special divisions (of which are most respected A- and world known D-divisions).

"Lead Teacher", "Head Teacher", and Principal titles and responsibilities are held by professors (teachers) who are former MGB students. Teachers with higher rank are commonly referred as "special teachers", since they teach to special divisions. (Although all divisions of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade are special divisions, A- and D- divisions are "more special" than others, thus have internally reserved the term "special" for themselves.)

In the current full-time engaged school staff, 23 teachers hold Doctor of Sciences degrees, 17 either PhD, Magister of Science, or Ma degrees, and all the rest hold graduated or M.Sc. degrees; other PhD and M.Sc. degree holders, University professors and assistants, or Institute assistant researchers, usually teach in special divisions.

The department od Mathematics has 33 full-time professors, of which 15 teachers hold Doctor of Sciences degrees, 8 hold PhD or Magister of Science, 1 holds MA, 1 holds Master of Science degree, and 8 are postgraduate students. 22 of the mentioned 33 full-time professors of Mathematics are former students of Mathematical Gymnasium.^[64][65]

Experimental teaching methods and programs prevail in the School. Many classes are taught by University of Belgrade professors and research assistants from the Faculty of Mathematics, Faculty of Physics, Belgrade Institute of Physics – Zemun , Institute for Nuclear Sciences Vinča, and Faculty of Electrical Engineering, and teaching methods vary according to professors' styles.

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade students set demands of high standard in front of the professors, and vice versa. One in every 10–15 students enroll in two different faculties and study both (in parallel). The School is very supportive and help both its former students and its employees to balance such activities, if and when they occur. It is not unusual to have professors who graduated two faculties, even three. The most usual choices are combination of electrical engineering, technical faculties (technology), mathematics, physics, and informatics. Some examples include economy, finance, and business studies, and even philosophy and languages.

The School welcomes broad knowledge, and supports activities that lead towards new knowledge and expertise.

Average experience of teaching staff

The average teaching experience of professors in Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade is 18 years.^[5]

The rest are teachers from university and institutes with similar age / work experience distribution.

Building and facilities

Mathematical Gymnasium's main building has 2,144.98 m² area, not including basement labs.

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade – side view – main building

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade – side view, from a school's park

It has 11 specialized cabinets (5 for informatics related subjects, 2 for physics, 1 for mathematics, 1 for chemistry, 1 for biology, 1 for foreign languages), 1 server room with equipment for administration of over 100 LAN and WLAN stations in the School, 13 large classrooms, 3 smaller and isolated classrooms for mentor teaching and competition preparation, Assembly Hall, Ceremonial Hall, library with over 10,000 books and textbooks, mediatheque, basement laboratories, cabinets for teaching staff, administrative staff, cleaning staff, secretary cabinet, accounting department, copy center, psychologist office, Vice Principal Office, and Principal Office.^[66]

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, Server Room.

School's Gym Hall has a base area of 638,56 m².

School has additional handball court and basketball court in the open.

Location and security

Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade is located in Kraljice Natalije Street 37 (formerly Narodnog Fronta 37),^[67] in the centre of the city of Belgrade, neighboring National Assembly Building, Presidential Palace, City Hall and Mayor's Office. It is surrounded by Government of Serbia official buildings, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Russian Center. USA Embassy is located nearby.

Properties of Mathematical Gymnasium are constantly guarded by private security and by state police officers and are also monitored by 37 cameras.

Celebration of 40 years of work

Celebration of 40thanniversary of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade.

40th anniversary of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade. Serbian Prime Minister dr sci Vojislav Koštunica, Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade then Principal and MGB alumnus^[35] prof. dr sci Vladimir Dragović, then Serbian Minister of Education prof. dr sci Slobodan Vuksanović, then Mayor of Belgrade and Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade Alumnus Mr. Nenad Bogdanović.^[35]

On Tuesday, 19 September 2006, Mathematical Gymnasium celebrated 40 years of successful work. The ceremony was held at the National Theatre in Belgrade. Around 500 prominent guests attended the celebration. The reception was attended by the then Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, dr sci Vojislav Kostunica, who was the senior sponsor of this anniversary. The meeting was also attended by the former Mayor of Belgrade, Mr. Nenad Bogdanović – himself being a former student of MGB, the Minister of Education, Mr. Slobodan Vuksanović, City Secretary of Education, Mr. Vladimir Todić, the President of the Stari Grad municipality, Mrs. Mirjana Božidarević, rector of the University of Belgrade, dean of Faculty of Mathematics, dean of Faculty of Physics, dean of Faculty of Electrical Engineering, professors and associates of the Vinča Institute for Nuclear Sciences, Institute of Physics Belgrade, Mathematics Institute of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, former students and now renowned professors and scientists from all around the world, the business elite of the region, Serbian famous actors and movie directors, as well as other prominent guests.

On the occasion of this important anniversary, the Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade also prepared a monograph of the School, issued with assistance from the Institute for textbooks and teaching aids – Zavod .

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade.

• Official website
• MG Principal's web page

Video clips of the 40-years ceremony held at the National Theatre, 2006

• Speech of the then Principal of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, Vladimir Dragovic, PhD:
• Speech of Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica, PhD:
• Speech of the Mayor of Belgrade, Nenad Bogdanović, MSc:
• Speech of Minister Božidar Đelić, MA:

Video clips of the 42-years ceremony held at the Belgrade City Hall, 2008

• Winners of medals from 2008 International Science Olympiads:
• Speech of Principal of Mathematical Gymnasium Belgrade, Srđan Ognjanović, PhD: