World Expo 2020 Win Inspires Mathematical Science Conference Under The Patronage Of ADEC To Pursue A Formula For Success And Put UAE Into The Global Equation

Following the UAE’s sensational victory in its World Expo 2020 bid, the focus is already switching to making the UAE a global leader in applied science and research in time for 2020. Acknowledging that Mathematics and Science determine the competitiveness of a country’s economy, Abu Dhabi University hosted the second annual conference on MathematicalScience and its Applications. Running from 29 November to 1 December, the conference brought together the most respected students and professors in related fields such as Algebra and Applications, Game Theory, Control Theory and Complex Theory. Coinciding with the 42nd National Day celebrations, the conference aimed to boost national prosperity with topics on diverse economic sectors such as Finance (Financial Mathematics), Economics (Mathematical Economics), Engineering (Dynamical Systems), ICT (Coding Theory), Security (Cryptology) and even Healthcare (Mathematical Biology). ADU’s Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, DrRadwan Al Jarrah commented: “On the surface this may seem like a conference purely about Mathematical Sciences, but it goes much deeper than that: it is about creative problem-solving, smart collaborations and ingenious inventiveness as ADU helps to pioneer solutions from new angles that have never been attempted anywhere else in the world. We are uniting the brightest minds towards a collective goal of solving our society’s most pressing challenges. The benefits will begin in the scientific field but they will not end there, as the applications will enhance the UAE’s living standards in all walks of life.” Correcting some misconceptions, HaydarAkca, Professor of Applied Mathematics of the conference’s Organizing Committee said: “When most people hear about ‘Mathematics’, they automatically picture formulas, without seeing the practical applications on the ground. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. For instance FatmaBozkurt, from Erciyes University demonstrated a differential equation model predicting a brain tumor growth, while RachidLassoued from the University of Constantine used modeling to show how construction columns behave in the event of a fire. All this proves that Mathematics and Science can have life-and-death applications in the real world. The world’s best brains failed to solve Fermat’s Last Theorem for 358 years until a man who had been fascinated since childhood finally solved it. This shows that nothing is impossible, and ADU encourages this belief.” Numerous researchers and 20 students converged at the conference and shared fascinating insights on hot button topics related to practical applications. Among many other speakers, LaribiBoualemdiscussed how patients’ lives can be saved by predicting the progression of arrhythmia in the cardiovascular system; while PK Sahooexplored the biometric theory of gravitation. Another member of ADU’s Organizing Committee, Professor Fares Howari, Chair of Applied Sciences and Mathematics, commented: “It’s no coincidence that the countries with top-performing students in Mathematics and Sciences are also the ones at the forefront of industries like ICT, Engineering, Biochemistry, Aeronautics and even Defense. However our region must encourage home-grown talents in Mathematical Sciences rather than outsourcing to other countries. The beauty of Mathematics is that it’s not too cost-intensive because you only need the principles and your imagination. That’s why ADU is passionate about nurturing the next generation of mathematical geniuses and shifting the balance of global power in time for World Expo 2020.”

Emirate:  Abu Dhabi

Date: Dec 5, 2013

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