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More than 260 researchers from Australia and overseas will attend the 51st Annual Meeting of Australian Mathematical Society, from Tuesday 25 to Friday 28 September, the country's largest ever gathering of mathematical scientists.

Conference Director and La Trobe University Associate Professor in Mathematics and Statistics, Dr Geoff Prince, said the contribution of mathematics to modern society was more important than ever.

‘The conference will enable mathematical scientists to share the latest in theoretical and applied mathematics and statistics. Developments in these fields are leading to improvements in many modern applications, such as scheduling in the aviation industry, on the docks and in railway yards; mining and transport efficiencies; internet and banking security; and patient waiting lists in hospitals.

‘Industry and government recognise that mathematics and statistics are critical to Australia's future prosperity,’ Dr Prince said.

‘From saving millions of dollars through improved mining to streamlining hospital admissions, predicting and preventing transport delays and helping achieve better internet security, today's mathematicians are making more of a contribution to society than at any other time in history.

‘This conference will allow them to exchange ideas, forge new links and create the research partnerships that will lead to the next generation of mathematical breakthroughs.’

Dr Prince said keynote participants include the Head of the US National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Professor Tony Chan, whose organisation funds more than $US200 million in mathematical research projects each year.

 
Two expatriate Australian mathematicians, Professor Mark Kisin, now at the University of Chicago, and Professor Stephen Wright from Computer Sciences and Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, will also attend.

The discipline has recently been buoyed by the Australian Government's Budget response to the National Review of Mathematical Sciences, which last year warned of an impending crisis if funding for mathematical research continued to decline.

‘There's definitely been a mood of optimism among Australian mathematicians and statisticians since the Government's turnaround following the review,’ said Australian Mathematical Society President, Professor Peter Hall.

‘This is reflected in the record number of conference registrations, and particularly in the number of postgraduate students attending. We need young mathematicians and statisticians coming through the ranks to maintain our technological capability and international competitiveness.

‘The annual conference is the only national whole-of-discipline event where many Australian mathematical researchers are able to meet with peers, share ideas and initiate collaborations that will lead to new areas of research and development vital to Australia.

‘The national review showed that support for collaborative work among mathematical scientists is critical to Australia's future technological development,’ Professor Hall said.

 

Monday, 3 September 2007La Trobe hosts Australian Mathematical Society Meeting - Industry looks to maths for next generation breakthroughs Australian industries – including mining, aviation, finance, security and public health – will reap long-term benefits from a meeting of mathematical minds at La Trobe University next week.
Further information

Dr Geoff Prince, Tel: 03 9479 2601; Email: g.prince@latrobe.edu.au

Diana Wolfe, conference publicist, Tel: 03 9372 5305; Email: wolfewords@optusnet.com.au

Website: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/mathstats/maths/conferences/AMS2007/

Some links to recent articles dealing with maths at La Trobe…