Top graduating student Robert Chung finds joy in solving hard problems

Robert Chung, a double graduate in mathematics and computer science, from U of T Scarborough.

For Robert Chung (BSc 2026 UTSC), one of the most important lessons he learned at university had little to do with formulas, programming languages or grades. 

“When something feels hard, don’t shy away – lean into it,” he says.

It’s a mindset that helped Chung excel throughout his time at U of T Scarborough, where he graduated with a double major in mathematics and computer science. 

This year, his academic achievements earned him two of the university’s top undergraduate honours: the Governor General’s Silver Medal and the John Black Aird Scholarship, awarded to the top graduating student at U of T. 

While Chung says receiving the awards was surprising, he is quick to credit the people who helped him along the way. 

“I was very happy, of course,” he says of receiving the awards. “But I’m also really grateful for the support of my parents and the amazing professors I’ve had throughout my four years at UTSC.” 

Childhood curiosity becomes passion

Growing up in Scarborough, Chung was encouraged by his parents to pursue whatever sparked his curiosity. He became interested in math competitions in elementary school and they also supported interests ranging from music to computer programming. 

One of the earliest introductions to coding came through an old Visual Basic book his dad gave him. 

“I just remember being able to program these small characters and objects to move around on the screen. I thought it was so interesting and it got me hooked,” says Chung. 

That early interest grew into a passion for more complex programming. By middle school, he was participating in programming competitions with the help of a mentor at Woburn Collegiate Institute who had represented Canada internationally. Those experiences helped launch a successful competitive programming career. 

Finding community through competition

At U of T, Chung found a community of like-minded students through the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), one of the world’s more prestigious programming competitions. Over four years, he competed through regional and North American championships before qualifying for the ICPC World Finals in Baku, Azerbaijan. 

Those experiences reinforced one of Chung’s favourite aspects of mathematics and computer science: learning never stops. That philosophy was shaped early in undergrad by professors who transformed the way he thought about learning. 

He points to mathematics professors Parker Glynn-Adey and Kathleen Smith as particularly influential figures during his first year. He says their enthusiasm and commitment to students helped turn challenging courses into experiences he genuinely looked forward to.

“They were motivated and kind,” he says. “I doubt I ever would have achieved what I did without their enthusiasm for the course material. It was inspiring.” 

One of the biggest influences on Chung’s undergraduate experience was computer science professor Nick Cheng, whose challenging, ungraded problems were designed purely for learning. After noticing Chung’s persistence in solving one of those challenges, Cheng encouraged him to become a teaching assistant for CSCB36, an experience that sparked a passion for mentorship. 

Learning by embracing challenges

For Chung, academic success was never about following strict schedules. Instead, he focused on evaluating his learning process and identifying areas for improvement. 

“I personally think it’s a mistake to stick to rigid plans or routines,” he says. “Everyone is different, but for me, I like to reflect on what I’m doing well and what I’m not doing well and tackle the stuff I’m not good at first.” 

That approach also shaped how he tackled difficult concepts. Rather than avoiding topics he found challenging, Chung made a habit of confronting them directly, seeking answers from professors, classmates and additional resources until he understood them. 

“It’s human nature to avoid things that are hard,” he says. “But when something feels hard, that’s usually where the learning takes place.”

Despite the long list of academic accomplishment, Chung still finds time for pursuits that satisfy his competitive instincts. During the pandemic, he became fascinated with speed typing, practicing enough to eventually rank among the top competitive typing platforms worldwide. 

He couldn’t attend his convocation ceremony this past June because he just started a job as a quantitative trading intern in New York City. The role combines two of his passions: using mathematics and computer programming to develop trading strategies and identify patterns in fast-moving financial markets. 

As he reflects on his time at UTSC, he believes one of the most valuable lessons students can learn extends beyond any single course or discipline. 

“Find people who are excited to learn and improve – it’s contagious,” he says. 

“It’s hard to do things alone. When you’re surrounded by people who care about learning and getting better, it makes a huge difference.”

Originally published by University of Toronto Scarborough