KARAMAN, June 26 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) proudly showcased its international presence as Professor Dr. Nor Haniza Sarmin, a senior academic from the Department of Mathematical Sciences in the Faculty of Science, represented Malaysia as an invited speaker at the prestigious Joint India-Indonesia-Iran-Malaysia-Turkey Algebra Forum Conference (JIIIMT-AFC 2025). The conference took place from June 24 to June 26, 2025, at Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University in Karaman, Türkiye.
The event brought together over 70 mathematicians and researchers from more than 15 countries, including India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Pakistan, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States of America (USA). Participants discussed recent advances in algebra, focusing on topics such as group theory, ring theory, and module theory, as well as their interdisciplinary applications. JIIIMT-AFC 2025 also provided a dynamic platform for researchers to exchange knowledge, explore new directions in mathematical sciences, and strengthen academic cooperation across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond, including connections extending to Europe and the United States.
Prof. Nor Haniza was the only Malaysian academic present at the conference. She delivered an invited talk entitled “The First General Zagreb Index of a Graph for the Ring of Integers Modulo pkqr” during the plenary session held on June 25 2025. The session was chaired by Prof. Shakir Ali of Aligarh Muslim University, India, who also serves as the Chair of the Joint India-Indonesia-Iran-Malaysia-Turkey (JIIIMT) Algebra Forum. Her presentation, based on joint research with Dr. Ghazali Semil @ Ismail and Dr. Nur Idayu Alimon from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Pasir Gudang, focused on the application of algebraic graph theory to ring structures, specifically on topological indices and their generalizations. The study underscores the role of topological indices in characterizing molecular graph invariants over modular integer rings, offering significant contributions to the theoretical development of both ring theory and mathematical chemistry.
The JIIIMT-AFC 2025 conference featured plenary lectures, invited sessions, and parallel presentations, creating an intellectually rich environment for participants. It also showcased ongoing collaborative work among institutions in the region.
Participation in JIIIMT-AFC 2025 demonstrates UTM’s strong commitment to academic excellence, international engagement, and leadership in the field of mathematical sciences. The involvement of Prof. Dr. Nor Haniza Sarmin not only underscores Malaysia’s contributions to algebraic research but also enhances UTM’s global reputation in research and education. Her participation in this prestigious forum served as an inspiration to the academic community and emerging scholars alike.
In addition to scholarly discussions, the conference fostered meaningful regional collaboration and cross-cultural exchange, creating opportunities for potential joint publications, research visits, and collaborative projects, particularly in the areas of algebraic structures and combinatorial applications.
Prof. Nor Haniza’s attendance was financially supported by the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS-EC) through a collaborative project with Dr. Nur Idayu Alimon from UiTM Pasir Gudang.