Award certificate for the Outstanding Winner and the Frank Giordano Award. [Photo/Shandong University]

Students from Shandong University (SDU) achieved a record-breaking performance in the 2026 Mathematical Contest in Modeling and Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling (MCM/ICM), earning the contest's highest honor — the Outstanding Winner award — and the prestigious Frank Giordano Award, one Finalist award, 19 Meritorious Winner awards, and 38 Honorable Mention awards.

A total of 179 SDU teams took part in this year's competition. A team composed of Tan Shaoting, Cai Lirong, and Qu Wenlu, all 2023 undergraduates from the School of Software, received the Outstanding Winner & Frank Giordano Award.

This marks the first time since 2016 that SDU has won an Outstanding Winner award and the first time since 2013 that they have secured the Outstanding Winner and the Frank Giordano Award.

Instructor Luan Junfeng noted that the team had been named a Finalist in the 2025 MCM/ICM and attained the top honor this year after dedicated preparation.

Another SDU team, with Jiang Hanzhang and Wang Zihan, 2024 undergraduates from the School of Computer Science and Technology, along with Liu Tongjun, a 2024 undergraduate from the School of Management, earned a Finalist award.

The MCM began in 1985, with the ICM introduced in 1999. This year's contest brought together 32,213 teams from 28 countries and regions, resulting in 41 teams being recognized as Outstanding Winners and 25 receiving named awards.