Official Opening of IMS on 17 July 2001

The Institute for Mathematical Sciences (IMS) will draw on the strengths of the NUS Departments of Mathematics, Computational Science, and Statistics and Applied Probability, to conduct multidisciplinary research in the applications of mathematics. Modelled after successful mathematical institutes in Europe and North America, IMS aims to solve important scientific problems, produce new results and techniques for theoretical developments as well as applications, and in the process train young mathematical scientists.

"Ideas in pure mathematics find application in science, and scientific application will, in turn, develop mathematical research," said Prof Louis Chen, Director of IMS, at its 17 July official opening. "We will ensure that our programmes will be of local relevance and of international interest."

The institute will run two scientific programmes half-yearly, bringing in top mathematicians and scientists to interact and share knowledge. Visiting scientists who participate in IMS's seminars, tutorials and workshops will stay for periods ranging from a week to six months. For a start, it has brought together 42 scientists from 16 countries to discuss digital coding and cryptology for its inaugural programme.

Speaking at the official opening, Prof Roger Howe, Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of IMS said, "Few, if any subjects, are so deeply and broadly engaged with information technology as is mathematics, and mathematics research can be expected to be fruitful and even essential to the full realisation of the capabilities of information technology."

******

Appeared in August 2001 issue of Knowledge Enterprise (Campus News).

Reprinted with permission of Editor, Knowledge Enterprise (Campus News).

New synergy for Mathematics, Knowledge Enterprise (Campus News), August 2001

A new paradigm in mathematical research, The ALUMNUS, October 2001