Making numbers fun

''Learning with students from different colleges under the
same roof created a good atmosphere for everyone out here.''
Renee D’Souza

A two-day mathematics seminar, ‘Science Academics Workshop in Mathematics’ was held recently at the St Joseph’s College of Arts and Science.

The seminar and the workshop was organised by the ‘ABACUS Club’ of the department of mathematics in collaboration with Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.

The workshop saw Prof Harish Seshadri, IISc, and Prof Sujata, TIFR, interact with the students.
Sathwik, the student organiser, said, “This workshop is important especially since the year 2012 has been announced as the ‘Year of Mathematics’ by the prime minister, as this year marks the 150th birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan, a mathematical genius.”

 He added, “Mathematical research is not easily accessible to undergraduate students. The professors, who come here are from various institutions, and have made the subject simple and fun for all of us.”

Students from 12 different colleges participated in the programme.

Dayani, a second year student of BMS College, said, “It was a whole new approach to learning maths. Learning with students from different colleges under the same roof created a good atmosphere for everyone out here.” Renee D’Souza, co-ordinator of the club, was delighted at the turnout and enthusiasm of the students. “Such events are a good learning experience for the students and we are lucky to have been able to organise one for them,” she added.