UC Graduate Alptekin Goksan receives the 2025 Governor General’s Silver Medal
by Georgia Laidlaw
Recent UC graduate Alptekin Goksan was the recipient of the University of Toronto St. George’s 2025 Governor General’s Silver Medal. Awarded to the student with the highest average from a University of Toronto undergraduate program in each of the three U of T campuses, Goksan was the second consecutive UC student to receive the award, having earned grades of 100% in half of the courses completed while pursuing a specialist in mathematics and a major in biochemistry.
Now a PhD student in the mathematics department at U of T, we catch up to learn more about his academic journey, study tips, winning the award, and what is to come now that he’s in grad school.
What inspired or motivated you to aim for such high academic standards throughout your studies?
Mathematics has been my favourite subject since elementary school. The mathematics courses at U of T are challenging, but thanks to my strong interest in the subject and the valuable guidance of my professors, I managed to do well in them, and this motivated me to keep going. The professors at U of T are world-renowned experts in their areas; they inspired me to be curious and to strive for excellence.
How did you stay motivated, especially during challenging times?
I think my love of mathematics helped me to do well in the program. In the mathematics specialist program at U of T, students are expected to apply what they have learned in class to solve problems which they have never seen before. Figuring out the correct solution requires a firm grasp of the material and creativity. I am also grateful to my professors, who were always willing to elaborate on difficult concepts and answer questions.
Can you walk us through your study routine or any techniques that helped you consistently excel?
The main strategies that contributed to my performance are hard work, good time management, and staying focused on my goals. To stay on top of my courses, I reviewed my notes and the textbook after each lecture and made notes of things that did not immediately make sense. I then tried to provide the necessary justification myself or asked about it during office hours. To gain a better understanding of the material, I found it useful to spend time thinking about how the different parts of a theory fit together and trying to see the big picture.
Did you have a specific approach to time management or balancing coursework with other responsibilities?
Whenever possible, I start working on assignments as soon as the relevant topics have been covered in class. I find that this reduces the stress of trying to keep up with a high workload. I also begin reviewing the course material well before the exam, so that I have enough time to clarify any difficult points and work on practice problems.
Who were your biggest supporters during your academic journey, and how did they help you succeed?
My mother and my father supported me throughout my studies. They taught me the importance of managing my time wisely and setting goals for myself. They always prioritized my education. I would not have made it this far if it had not been for them. I am also indebted to my professors, who were always available to answer my questions and offer guidance.
What was the most difficult course you took, and how did you overcome its challenges?
The most difficult courses that I took at U of T were the graduate-level mathematics courses that I took in my last two years. These courses were not only intellectually demanding but also fast-paced. I overcame these challenges by devoting a lot of time to the material, asking questions, and doing my best to internalize each concept before moving on to the next one. It was worth the effort; I ended up developing a solid foundation in the core areas of research-level mathematics.
What does winning the Governor General’s Silver Award mean to you, personally and academically?
I felt honoured when I found out that I had won this award. It means that my hard work and dedication to my studies have been recognized, and this is invaluable to me.
What advice would you give to other students striving for academic excellence?
Work hard, use your time wisely, and set goals for yourself. Also, be curious and pursue your interests.
Looking back, what are you most proud of from your academic journey?
I am proud of my grades, which I worked hard to get. Every course I completed at U of T has contributed to my personal and academic development, and I will always cherish my memories of these courses. I am also proud of the paper that I wrote at the end of my research project in harmonic analysis. This project taught me what it is like to think deeply about a problem, to experiment with various methods, and to turn ideas into concrete results. Once again, I thank my supervisor, Prof. Ignacio Uriarte-Tuero for giving me this opportunity.
How did you feel about being part of a college, and what did the college experience mean to you?
UC played an important role in my undergraduate experience. Some of my classes were in the UC building, which has beautiful architecture. During those classes, I felt happy to be part of UC’s tradition of teaching and learning, which is more than 170 years old. I frequently visited the UC Registrar’s Office to seek help with administrative matters. The office is very well-organized, and the staff are always available, knowledgeable, and willing to help. Meanwhile, scholarships and awards provided by UC motivated me to keep doing my best. I felt that my efforts were valued, and it was comforting to know that UC was always there for me whenever I needed help.
Now that you are a PhD student in mathematics, what is next for you?
I hope to keep improving my theoretical knowledge, delve further into research, and keep working towards a career in mathematics. There are a lot of interesting questions in mathematics that remain to be answered, and I hope to keep learning and making contributions to the body of knowledge in this subject.