01 March 2005	Tuesday	19 Muharram 1426

LAHORE, Feb 28: Over 300 scientists and mathematical experts from all over the world are expected to participate in the second three-day 'World Conference on 21st Century Mathematics' to be held in the city from March 4.

Higher Education Commission chairman Dr Attaur Rehman will inaugurate the conference being organized by the School of Mathematical Sciences (SMS) of the Government College University, Lahore. Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool will preside over the closing ceremony on March 6.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, SMS Director-General Dr A.D. Raza said that the main objective of the conference was to bring together researchers in mathematics from all over the world for useful discussions on current and future directions of various branches of mathematics like pure, applied, computational, industrial and actuarial mathematics (banking and insurance).

He said the first world conference on 21st century mathematics, held last year, inspired a large number of local institutions of higher education to organize mathematical events. He said that mathematicians would be presenting about 100 research papers on most recent advances in mathematical sciences during the three-day conferences.

For encouraging research in different areas of mathematical sciences, the SMS would give prizes at the last session of the conference, including lifetime achievement award for a senior Pakistani mathematician for his outstanding contribution for raising the standard of mathematics here. Prize would also be awarded to the best presentation at the conference, while four young speakers' awards would be given to the students doing their PhDs.

He said that six students selected for the International Mathematical Olympiad scheduled to be held at Mexico in July next would also be awarded certificates and prizes.

They were, Muhammad Hanif of F.G. Sir Syed College, Rawalpindi Cantt, Hira Manzoor of Beacon house School System, Garden Town, Lahore, Salman Malik of Army Public Degree College, Multan, Fawad Ahmad Najam of F.G. Degree College for Men, Wah, and Rehma Farhatullah Khairi of the Aga Khan High Secondary School, Karachi.