The three-day 12th International Pure Mathematics Conference 2011 commenced on Friday at the Quaid-i-Azam University. The conference was aimed at enhancing the understanding of mathematics and providing an opportunity to working mathematicians to exchange of idea with colleagues at national and international levels.
The conference was organized by the Quaid-i-Azam University in collaboration with the Pakistan Science Foundation, the National Centre for Physics, the Pakistan Mathematical Society and Preston University. The Pakistan Mathematical Society and Quaid-i-Azam University have been organizing annual International Pure Mathematics Conferences from 2000. The conference’s keynote speakers included 9 foreign mathematicians while 42 other speakers also gave talks.
The conference received an overwhelming response at the international level as 84 well-known mathematicians from some 26 countries attended the inaugural session. QAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai addressed the inaugural session and said that mathematics is playing a significant role in the development of science and technology all over the world. Pakistan cannot afford to lag behind global affairs in general, and science and technology in particular. He added that since mathematics is one of the most useful branches of science, Pakistan must not lag behind in contributing its share to its development. He urged Pakistani mathematicians to remain in touch with the international community in this regard.
Dr. Yasinzai also said that the congregation of mathematicians will be a significant step forward in setting new trends of research in all the branches of mathematics. “I am sure the IPMCs will have a centrifugal impact on mathematics in Pakistan, and our country will benefit from the novel ideas which will emerge from the proceedings of these annual conferences” he added. Former Federal Minister for Law, Dr. Babar Awan appreciated the Vice-Chancellor’s vision to internationalize the University.
