The African Conference of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ACIAM) recently unfolded in Cape Town, bringing together the brightest minds in mathematics across Africa. For Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), this event provided an invaluable platform for postgraduate students and lecturers from its Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics to engage with experts from academia, industry, research institutions, and government bodies. ACIAM, under the theme “The Engine to Economy and Technological Advancement,” showcased the potential of mathematics to address real-world challenges, a vision closely aligned with SMU’s commitment to driving innovation through high-level research and collaboration.
SMU scholars join Africa’s brightest minds at landmark mathematics conference
SMU’s involvement in ACIAM 2024 exemplifies the university’s commitment to advancing high-level research and fostering a culture of excellence in applied mathematics. Several postgraduate students and lecturers from SMU’s Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics attended, each eager to contribute their expertise, exchange ideas, and expand their professional networks with some of the continent’s most esteemed researchers.
The theme of this year’s conference was aligned with SMU’s core vision of driving innovation through rigorous academic research. This collaboration, which bridged academia, industry, and government bodies, aimed to harness the power of mathematical theory in solving pressing challenges across Africa, from healthcare to financial markets.
At the heart of SMU’s participation in the conference was a philosophy rooted in meritocracy and academic curiosity. Far from limiting access to a select few, the university’s application process allowed any student from the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics with a passion for the subject to apply and earn their place through the strength of their research proposals. This inclusive approach highlights SMU’s dedication to nurturing talent across all academic levels, from honours students to senior lecturers.
Master’s student Mbali Phama, who presented her research on “Similarity Reductions of the Benjamin-Bona Mahony Equation,” described the conference as a pivotal moment in her academic journey. “ACIAM gave me a new perspective on how my work can directly impact real-world issues, and the exposure to African research landscapes was incredibly enriching,” she says. Such experiences underscore the value SMU places on providing students with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to succeed in a competitive global research environment.
Other members of the SMU delegation, including Junior Lecturers Sanele Mlotshwa and Matlhatsi Ngwepe, presented cutting-edge research in areas such as Lie point symmetries and self-adaptive algorithms. Their participation demonstrated not only SMU’s commitment to supporting diverse research initiatives but also the university’s growing role as a catalyst for technological advancement and innovation within Southern Africa.
The focus of ACIAM 2024 on applying mathematical theories to real-world challenges, such as bond pricing in financial markets and health sciences, resonated deeply with SMU’s mission. Honours student Morongwa Ralefeta, whose research explores fixed-point theorems in machine learning, was particularly struck by the practical applications of her studies. “This conference reinforced the importance of connecting theoretical research with practical solutions that can make a tangible difference in fields like healthcare and technology,” she remarks.
For those involved in applied mathematics projects with direct societal benefits, such as image processing and MRI scan reconstruction, ACIAM offered an ideal forum for sharing insights and forging valuable collaborations. Matlhatsi Ngwepe highlights the potential of these innovations to improve diagnostic processes, emphasising the transformative impact that applied mathematics can have on healthcare. “Our work in imaging reconstruction could revolutionise patient care by improving the speed and clarity of diagnostic results,” he says.
Though SMU’s representatives did not present formal research this year, their participation in ACIAM demonstrated the university’s dedication to equipping its scholars with the necessary skills to excel in the global academic arena. “The experience has strengthened our ability to present research effectively and engage with fellow scholars in meaningful ways,” says Phama. “These lessons will help us make even greater contributions at future conferences.”
ACIAM 2024 served as a milestone for the mathematical community and provided a clear view of the immense potential that applied mathematics holds for Africa’s future. As the conference concluded, the SMU delegation left with a renewed sense of purpose and optimism, reinforcing the university’s position as a competitive, forward-thinking institution dedicated to fostering innovative research that drives Africa’s economic and technological progress. The university is already planning to support its scholars’ continued research ambitions, ensuring that SMU remains at the forefront of academic excellence in Southern Africa.
Through this engagement, SMU continues to cement its reputation as a leading institution in applied research, poised to make lasting contributions to both the academic world and the communities it serves.
