The First Applied Algebra and Analysis Group Online Global Classroom (OGC) 2021

Dr Nor Muhainiah Mohd Ali

The Applied Algebra and Analysis Group (AAAG), Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Frontier Materials Research Alliance, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) had organized the Online Global Classroom (OGC) 2021 with the collaboration of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. This is the first of its kind organised by AAAG through an online platform to invite and share knowledge and researches from an expert outside the country. The OGC program was divided into four sessions (two hours slot each) covering two topics – the first topic was on “Group Theory and Its Applications in Probability Theory”, and the second topic was on “Group Theory and Its Applications in Graph Theory”. The speaker, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Erfanian, as a renowned expert in the field of group theory, graph theory and their applications had successfully shared his knowledge with the participants. In each class, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Erfanian briefly explained the topics by sharing the concepts, definitions, some results, and further research questions that needed answers by the participants as open problems. The output from these classes and open problems can also help participants in furthering their research.

The four parts of the lecture series were held on 18, 20, 25, and 27January 2021 and were attended by and benefited more than 105 participants including academic staff, researchers, postgraduate and undergraduate students, not only from UTM and local universities in Malaysia, but also from universities abroad. This OGC program had managed to bring AAAG and UTM together with 32 other institutions from five different countries – Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan and Afghanistan.

UTM International has come up with this OGC framework as an initiative to maintain the university’s internationalization agenda amidst the current Covid-19 pandemic. Previously, UTM International focused on outbound and inbound mobility programs where students flew to other institutions to attend classes and experience new cultures of teaching and learning. As a result of new practice to cope with the new norm, the current OGC was introduced. Hence, despite the pandemic and new normal practices, UTM students are still being able to experience attending classes taught by a Visiting Professor.

In line with this internationalization agenda, AAAG supports the initiative by organizing the OGC to provide a platform for the students and lecturers to learn from the experts. Based on the feedback from the participants, the OGC has broadened their knowledge in the area of group theory and graph theory. AAAG has planned to invite more experts to share their knowledge and expertise under this platform.

Prepared by,

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nor Muhainiah Mohd Ali (Research Group Leader)

Prof. Dr. Nor Haniza Sarmin

Dr. Ibrahim Gambo

Nur Idayu Alimon

Athirah Zulkarnain,

Applied Algebra and Analysis Group (AAAG),

Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science and

Frontier Materials Research Alliance, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

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