How the 11th and 12th BDU Math Camps Sparked the Wollo University Movement

Twelve years ago, a simple idea took root at Bahir Dar University under the motto Learning Mathematics Through Fun. The goal was never just to improve grades, but to transform how students experienced mathematics. Over time, this philosophy evolved into a vibrant culture of collaborative problem-solving, creativity, and exploration. By 2024, that culture had matured enough to influence more than a single campus, setting the stage for expansion.

The 11th BDU Math Camp in July 2024 marked a pivotal moment. A preparatory week brought together lecturers, teachers, returnee students, and volunteers who designed activities from the ground up. Students from fourteen secondary schools later joined the camp, working in houses named after Gauss, Ada Lovelace, Maryam Mirzakhani, and Euler. They explored puzzles, cryptography, binary numbers, programming, and GeoGebra, while also visiting innovation spaces like BITEC and the Jan-Moscou Library. These experiences showed them that mathematics extends beyond classrooms into research, technology, and real-world applications.

This momentum directly led to a major development: the launch of the first Wollo University Math Camp in Dessie in 2024. The new camp was not simply a replication but a continuation built on shared experience. Materials refined during the BDU preparatory week were adapted for the Wollo context, and the house system, journals, and collaborative activities traveled with the model. Educators who had helped shape the BDU camp, including Dr. Abdu Mohammed, contributed at Wollo, transferring both structure and philosophy. In this way, the success at Bahir Dar became the foundation for a new movement at Wollo University.

The 12th BDU Math Camp in 2025 reinforced this growth and demonstrated sustainability. Students who had attended in 2024 returned as mentors, helping to facilitate puzzles, guide discussions, and document sessions. The camp had evolved into a self-sustaining ecosystem where participants became leaders. At the same time, the ongoing connection with Wollo University strengthened, with shared resources and expertise flowing between institutions rather than remaining centralized.

Together, the 11th and 12th BDU Math Camps tell a story of expansion through trust and collaboration. What began as a single-campus initiative has grown into a regional network, with Wollo University representing the first major step outward. Learning Mathematics Through Fun is no longer just a motto at Bahir Dar University; it is becoming a shared practice across institutions, carried forward by educators and students who are building a movement together.