KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 – The International Seminar on Mathematics for Industry (ISMI) 2024 took place from 9th to 11th September at the Concorde Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. The event brought together leading figures in mathematics, industry, and government for an important exchange of ideas. It was organized by the UTM Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (UTM-CIAM) and the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and aimed to foster collaboration within the Quadruple Helix model, which unites academia, industry, government agencies, and the community.
ISMI, established in 2013, has become a multidisciplinary platform for discussions between mathematical scientists and industry practitioners. This year’s event, themed “Mathematical Evolution Guiding Industrial Innovation Futures,” provided a platform to explore emerging developments and innovations, addressing real-world industrial challenges through the lens of mathematics and statistics. The event was officiated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shafinaz Shahir, on behalf of Prof. Dato’ Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Vice-Chancellor of UTM.
A key highlight of ISMI 2024 was the Forum Math-for-Industry (FMfI), co-organized with the Asia Pacific Consortium of Mathematics for Industry (APCMfI). This forum provided a focal point for experts, professionals, and enthusiasts to engage in in-depth discussions about innovative solutions for complex industrial challenges, emphasizing the critical role of mathematics in driving technological advancement across sectors.
The seminar featured high-profile speakers, including Prof. Dr. Manuel Cruz from the European Union Mathematics in Industry Network and Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP), Portugal, who delivered a plenary lecture entitled “From Theory to Technology: EU-MATHS-IN’s Impact on Industrial Mathematics.” Another key address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Xuerong Mao from the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom, on “Stochastic Modelling, Big Data, and Deep Learning,” exploring how these cutting-edge mathematical tools shape the future of industry and technology.
Additionally, the conference hosted a Roundtable Discussion on the Formulation of the Malaysian Mathematical Sciences Policy: Issues and Challenges, bringing together leading experts, policymakers, and educators to chart the future of mathematical sciences in Malaysia. The discussion examined the need for a robust national policy to strengthen educational frameworks, foster innovation, and enhance Malaysia’s global competitiveness in mathematical sciences.
Furthermore, a forum entitled “Mathematical Evolution Guiding Industrial Innovation Futures: The Role of Academia-Industry-Society-Government” facilitated insightful dialogue between panellists from academia, industry, and government on the evolving role of mathematics in industrial innovation. Discussions emphasized the need for cross-sectoral collaboration in leveraging mathematics to drive sustainable industrial growth and tackle modern challenges.
ISMI2024 drew more than 100 participants, including 11 prominent speakers, 58 oral and 16 poster presenters, representing countries such as Malaysia, Japan, Germany, Portugal, Australia, India, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Singapore and Indonesia. The speakers come from diverse backgrounds, including prestigious academic institutions and prominent industry organizations. Esteemed experts from the European Union Mathematics in Industry Network, Portugal, European Consortium for Mathematics in Industry (ECMI), Germany, and APCMfI, Japan, delivered insightful presentations, emphasizing the practical applications of mathematics in solving real-world industrial problems. Additionally, an industry speaker from STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific shared his experiences in leveraging mathematical tools to enhance innovation and competitiveness in the global market. These diverse perspectives highlighted the growing intersection between academia and industry in industrial mathematics.
ISMI2024 was made possible through the support of various collaborators and sponsors, whose contributions were instrumental in ensuring the event’s success. Co-organizers such as APCMfI and the Institute of Mathematics for Industry (IMI), Kyushu University, Japan, played a key role in organizing the seminar. At the same time, sponsorship came from prominent institutions, including Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), the Management Science/Operations Research Society of Malaysia (MSORSM), and the Institut Statistik Malaysia (ISMy), among others. Additionally, the event was supported by MyHIMS Solutions LLP and the Joint Usage/Research Centre, Graduate Program of Mathematics for Innovation at Kyushu University, further enriching the seminar’s collaborative and interdisciplinary scope.
These events brought an impactful collaboration that sealed important documentation between IMI, Kyushu University and UTM-CIAM for future expansion of industrial and applied mathematics research exchange activities. This has successfully cemented ISMI2024’s role as a premier platform for advancing industrial mathematics, and participants are left with new insights and collaborations that are expected to drive future innovations. With the strong support of academia, industry, and government, ISMI2024 further solidified the importance of mathematical sciences in shaping the future of industrial innovation.
Prepared By: Dr. Nur Arina Bazilah bt Aziz, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shariffah Suhaila Syed Jamaludin, Dr. Zaiton Mat Isa, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arifah Bahar.
