The International Conference on Mathematical Modeling was inaugurated by Prof. Adewale Roland Tunde Solarin, Director/Chief Executive of National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Nigeria, on 28th December 2015, at the Auditorium of the Nigerian National Atomic Energy Commission, Abuja, Nigeria. The event is being jointly organized by COMSATS; the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO); and the host institution, the NMC, on December 28-29, 2015. The inaugural ceremony of the event was attended by about 40 senior officials from relevant universities, research organizations and government departments of Nigeria, as well as local media personnel. The international conference is being attended by research scientists belonging to Bangladesh, Jordan, Pakistan, Senegal and Nigeria.

During his address at the inaugural ceremony, Prof. Solarin welcomed the local and foreign participants of the event, and thanked COMSATS and ISESCO for collaborating with NMC to organize this important activity. He shed light on the topics being covered during the Conference having focus on addressing major challenges faced by humanity, through mathematical modelling. Prof. Solarin acquainted the participants with the current activities of his Centre in the fields of mathematics, computer science, statistics and theoretical physics. He informed that NMC has been selected for the establishment of UNESCO Professorial Chair Programme in Mathematics (Algebra). Highlighting his Centre’s collaboration with COMSATS, Prof. Solarin stated that several Nigerian students have been awarded scholarships by COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Pakistan, for pursuing post-graduate studies, some of which have already graduated. He thanked COMSATS for its consistent support towards the capacity building of Nigerian institutions, in general, and NMC, in particular.

On the occasion, a message of the Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. I. E. Qureshi, was read out by Mr. Farhan Ansari, Sr. Assistant Director (Programmes), COMSATS Headquarters. The Executive Director highlighted the applications of mathematical modelling in various fields of science and technology, having direct relevance to the socio-economic development. He expressed confidence that the event would facilitate scientific and technological cooperation among the participating scientists from different developing countries, and will enhance their capabilities to address challenges related to socio-economic development. The Executive Director noted that COMSATS is committed to developing and strengthening linkages among the countries of the South for the exchange of resources, technology, and knowledge, and is also organizing collaborative research activities under its International Thematic Research Groups (ITRGs) programme. In this regard, he shed light on the activities of COMSATS’ ITRG on Mathematical Modelling, which would hold its second meeting in conjunction with the conference. He also highlighted the ongoing collaboration between COMSATS and ISESCO, and paid tributes to ISESCO for supporting COMSATS’ programmes and activities in the common Member States.

Dr. Ismail AbdelHamid, Science Expert, ISESCO, conveyed greetings of the Director General of ISESCO, H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, and expressed pleasure on ISESCO’s partnership with COMSATS and NMC for organizing this international conference. He recounted the applications of mathematical modelling in the fields of bioinformatics, agriculture, environmental protection and health. He informed that the promotion of science is the highest priority of ISESCO and its cooperation with COMSATS, in this regard, has been very fruitful. Dr. AbdelHamid informed that the two organizations jointly organize several capacity-building events each year, and also expressed pleasure on ISESCO’s involvement in the activities of COMSATS’ ITRG on Mathematical Modelling, by way of sponsoring the research project being undertaken by its members.

Also on the occasion, the senior officials and academicians belonging to universities and S&T/R&D organizations delivered goodwill messages. The two-day conference will feature presentation of research papers by the local and foreign participants, covering different topics related to the applications of mathematical modelling in various fields, like environmental protection, health, and energy generation.