From Rural China to Global Stage: Fashion Major Stuns in Math Contest

Jiang Ping, a fashion major from a vocational high school in rural Jiangsu province, has amazed the nation by excelling in the Alibaba Global Mathematics Competition. Ranking 12th out of 802 competitors, Jiang outperformed students from elite institutions like Harvard, Oxford, and MIT.

Organized by DAMO Academy under Alibaba, this prestigious online contest began in 2018 and is open to math enthusiasts worldwide, though Chinese math majors typically dominate. The top 85 finishers will win prizes from $2,000 to $30,000.

Despite the celebration, Jiang’s success has sparked controversy, with questions about the competition’s fairness and his background preparation. Nonetheless, his achievement underscores how talent can shine from the most unexpected places, inspiring many across the globe.