UNIMA hosts 2025 Applied Mathematics Research School

The University of Malawi is hosting the 2025 Applied Mathematics Research School, which will run up to 31st January, 2025. This is the second time the event is taking place in Malawi, as the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) hosted it last year. The event, which brings mathematicians together, aims to explore ways of using mathematics to solve real-life problems.

This year’s event has attracted participants and facilitators from across the Southern African region, including countries such as Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, and South Africa.

Speaking during the launch on 20th January, 2025, Professor Cosmo Ngongondo, Executive Dean of the School of Natural and Applied Sciences at UNIMA, mentioned that the participants, who also include academics from local universities such as MUBAS, will be trained on using various softwares and tools in mathematics to analyse data and address real-world challenges in areas such as health, the environment, and more. He also highlighted that such events help to strengthen relationships between UNIMA and other African universities, fostering regional integration in higher education.

Professor Farai Nyabadza, Head of the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Johannesburg, provided an overview of the Applied Mathematics Research School. He emphasized the importance of the program and expressed hope that, by the end of the school, participants would emerge as well-rounded researchers capable of writing quality publications and conducting research ethically, especially in this era of AI advancements. He further highlighted the aim of the school which is to develop a pool of mathematical modellers within Malawi and the SADC region who can advance mathematical modelling as a research field.

This event is one of the key initiatives in which UNIMA participates, fostering collaboration among individuals, departments, and institutions across the Southern African region. It promotes knowledge-sharing, strengthens networks among universities, and contributes to the advancement of research and innovation in applied mathematics. By bringing together experts and aspiring researchers, the event also serves as a platform for addressing regional challenges through mathematical solutions and interdisciplinary cooperation.