An enriching program featuring the following sessions:
1) Celebration of National Day of Mathematics-2024
2) Awareness on the Importance of Mathematics for the School students through Expert lecturers, Skit and speeches.
3) Alumni Meet 2024 & Panel Discussion on Mathematics Education in Kashmir region.
4) Lead lectures and paper presentations by the faculty and scholars.
Srinagar : To pay tributes to the renowned Indian mathematician- Srinivasa Ramanujan, the Department of Mathematics, University of Kashmir (KU), celebrated National Mathematics Day as a part of its two-day Math Fest 2024 held on December 23-24.
The fest was organised in collaboration with JK Science, Technology and Innovation Council, Kashmir Math Society, and Le-Khidmah Foundation.
The event also brought together the alumni and deliberations were held upon the declining enrollment of students in mathematics at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Dean Academic Affairs KU, Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, highlighted the importance of integrating mathematics with real-world applications. “Events like these are pivotal in cultivating a love for mathematics,” he noted. Registrar KU, Prof. Naseer Iqbal, stressed the need for collective efforts to address the pressing issue of declining enrollment in mathematics. “We need to introspect and address the declining enrollment in mathematics. This requires collaboration between universities, schools, and policymakers to make mathematics more appealing to students,” he said. Reflecting on the event, Dean Research KU, Prof. M. Sultan Bhat, emphasized the interdisciplinary relevance of mathematics. “Mathematics is the basis of everything, from artificial intelligence to space exploration and climate modeling. It is the cornerstone of technological advancements and scientific discovery,” he said.
Director School Education, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Itoo, expressed his department’s commitment to promoting mathematics at the school level.
“We are always ready to support the University in organizing such initiatives aimed at inspiring school students to take up mathematics as their career,” he said. Dean, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences KU, Prof. Manzoor A. Malik underscored the lasting significance of mathematics, stressing its essential role in driving advancements in science and technology.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Head Department of Mathematics and convener of the event, Prof. M.A. Khanday, stressed on the need for creative teaching approaches to combat math anxiety. He further delivered a lecture on the importance of Mathematics in real life situations. Dr. Khanday emphasized that the innovative methods in teaching at school level can help the society to improve the enrolment of students towards mathematics.
The two-day fest included engaging lectures, panel discussions, paper presentations, and cultural activities. Interactive sessions were conducted on innovative teaching methods and the universal relevance of mathematics. A skit by M.Sc. students was performed that depicted the role of mathematics in daily life. The alumni meet was a key highlight of the event with notable alumni including Abdul Hamid Kumar, Director Accounts & Treasuries, Kashmir; Mushtaq Ahmad, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Kulgam; Dr. Lubnna Shah, AP CUK; Mr. Arshad Hassan, Lecturer, Pulwama; and Gulzar A. Dar, Lecturer, SCERT Srinagar, sharing their insights. Prof. M.A. Mir, faculty at the Department of Mathematics KU delivered a lecture during research presentations session and formally presented vote of thanks.
An important panel discussion on the topic "Current scenario of Mathematics education in Kashmir region: Challenges and remedies" was held on the 2nd day of the Fest in which discussion among experts including Prof. MH Gulzar (Ex. HOD Mathematics, KU), Prof. MA Khanday (HOD Mathematics, KU), Dr. MA Mir (Professor Maths KU), Mr. Mushtaq A Lone (KAS-ACR Kulgam), Mr. Arshad Hassan (Lecturer Mathematics, GHSS Hawal Pulwama) and Mr. Gulzar A Dar (Sr. Academic Officer SCERT Srinagar & Lecture Mathematics) was held about the theme. The teachers & other stakeholders raised various issues and the session concluded with a positive note.
The proceedings of the inaugural session were conducted by Ms. Sumaira Anjum and Ms. Sabira Ali, research scholars of the Department.
Mathematics