GCU Conference on Mathematical Sciences & Emerging Technologies (AS-ICMSET 2025)

Six hundred mathematicians from 15 countries gathered on November 24 in the historic main hall of Government College University (GCU) in Lahore for the opening ceremony of the Abdus Salam International Conference on Mathematical Sciences & Emerging Technologies AS-ICMSET 2025.

In their welcoming speeches, GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Muhammad Omer Chaudhry and director Prof. Khurram Shabbir of the the Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences (ASSMS) stressed the importance of the international presence for their plan for revitalizing Pakistani mathematical research, and for reviving the former glorious role of ASSMS at GCU on this.

In short adresses, International Mathematical Union (IMU) president, Prof. Dr. Hiraku Nakajima, emphasized the importance of programs for visiting scholars, student support, and training initiatives, whereas Prof. Balázs Szendröi, Chair of the European Mathematical Society (EMS) Committee for Developing Countries, highlighted the inherent advances that research collaborations have on global advancements.

IMM President Prof. Peter Stevenhagen shared his experiences from numerous visits to Pakistan, challenging common European misconceptions, highlighting the importance of breaking stereotypes and stressing the value of research as a critical innovative process. He urged the Lahore institutions to present a unified front to the outside world when embracing international mathematical cooperation.

The remainder of the three-day conference took place in the facilities of ASSMS itself and had a wealth of keynote addresses, plenary and parallel sessions. The IMM and its philosophy were put in the spotlight again by Peter Stevenhagen, who explained the IMM focus on fundamental mathematics, which bridges what used to be called pure and applied mathematics. His keynote address happened to fall on Cleveringa Day (Nov 26), the day at his home university Leiden that is traditionally devoted to the celebration of academic freedom and the right to speak out against injustice. He took the opportunity to argue against the Pakistani culture of early and frequent publication in mathematical research.

This issue was taken up in the panel discussion featuring Nakajima, Szendröi and him on the future of Pakistani mathematics that concluded the conference.