November 2, 2024: The Department of Mathematics, University of Kashmir, Srinagar in collaboration with Kashmir Mathematical Society (KMS), JK Science Technology & Innovation Council, DIET Beerwah, and SCERT Kashmir, organized 2^nd phase of Awareness-cum-outreach Programme for the popularization of mathematics to the high/higher secondary students of district Budgam at DIET Beerwah. The main aim of the programme was to apprise the students about the Importance of Mathematics and its real life applications. The programme was held at DIET Beerwah. Over 150 student/teacher participants from various High/Higher Secondary School of Budgam district attended the programme.

The program was aimed to develop the interest of students towards the essence of mathematics at School level, which in turn can improve the enrolment of students in mathematics at Higher Education. It is pertinent to mention here that, Kashmir region has drastic decline of student’s enrolment in Mathematics after qualifying 10^th class due to various reasons. To overcome this challenge, this program was organized to inspire & create interest among students towards mathematics. Speaking on the occasion Chief Guest of the Inaugural session Prof. S. Pirzada, Dean Academic Affairs UoK has extensively discussed the relevance of these programmes and deliberated on the importance of the subject in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary aspects. He complemented the Department of Mathematics for organizing these outreach activities at different regions of Kashmir province and assured full support from the University administration.

HOD Mathematics, Prof. MA Khanday, Convener of the programme welcomed the guests and briefed the participants about the objectives of the programme. In the technical session Prof. Khanday highlighted the role of teachers, students, parents and policy makers in eradicating the fear of mathematics and comprehensively discussed the career opportunities in the subject. He further emphasized that teachers should develop student centric classroom environment and engage students in discussions and focus on technology based teaching learning pedagogy. Policy makers can help the nation by adopting the model of developed countries for the overall growth of the subject and there is no doubt that good mathematicians can lead the nation in economy, technology and other emerging fields. It is essential to recruit adequate subject specialized teachers for the growth of mathematics at elementary, secondary and senior secondary school level, Khanday added.

Mr. Fayaz A, I/C Principal DIET Beerwah, Mr. Gulzar A Dar, SCERT, Mr. Arshad Hassan, Sr. Lecturer Mathematics, Mr. Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, Teacher Beerwah zone, Mr. Syed Munawar, Teacher Sonawari Bandipora zone, Mr. Aijaz Ahmad, Teacher Budgam zone and others spoke on various aspects of mathematics education and current gross root level problems in the subject.

Prof. MA Mir, Co-Convener of the Programme deliberated on the applications and remedies for fear of mathematics in School system. He has also presented vote of thanks in the Inaugural session.