53rd SAMS Annual Conference

Back: Ansie Harding, Yvonne McDermot, Kerstin Jordaan, Ronél Oosthuizen and Alta van der Merwe. Front: Marietjie Ohlhoff and Antoinette Scheepers

The conference is one of a series of meetings held on an annual basis in South Africa, hosted at various universities throughout South Africa. The 2010 meeting was organised jointly by SAMS (South African Mathematical Society) and the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Pretoria under the leadership of Prof Kerstin Jordaan, assited by the Local Organising Committee from UP.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria, Professor Cheryl de la Rey opened the conference. In her opening address Prof de la Rey emphasized her commitment to providing support and resources for the development of mathematics.

Visitors enjoyed the tranquil and academically stimulating atmosphere of the campus. The social events consisted of a welcoming cheese and wine function, opened by Prof Jean Lubuma, Head of Department, and a conference dinner that included an award ceremony. 

The SAMS Award for Advancement of Mathematics 2010 was awarded jointly to Frits Hahne and Neil Turok for their efforts in building up AIMS. The SAMS Award for Research Distinction 2010 was awarded to Marcel Wild from Stellenbosch. Professor Wild has tackled significant mathematical problems and devotes his effort to quality, as opposed to quantity. The committee was also impressed with his versatility. This award are presented in the form of SILVER MOBIUS BANDs with appropriate inscription.

Awards for excellent student presentations, on masters level, went to D Ssevviiri (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University), Y Terefe (University of Pretoria), S Jamal (University of the Witwatersrand),  R Roux (University of Stellenbosch) and on doctoral level to J Moodley (University of Kwazulu Natal), AD Razafindrakoto (University of Stellenbosch), JMT Ngnotchauye (University of Kwazulu Natal) and WS Lee (University of Pretoria).