Developments in Mathematical Sciences in Australia was the topic of a special presentation at CQU Mackay on Monday, September 20; also viewed live by audiences in Rockhampton and Bundaberg.

Professor Tony Guttman*, President of the Australian Mathematical Society, visited Mackay to speak about the increased visibility of the mathematical sciences in Australia, both in popular culture, as evidenced by such films as 'A Beautiful Mind' and 'Good Will Hunting' and in theatre by such plays as 'Arcadia'.

Not only are the mathematical sciences increasingly visible, but Governments have also been unusually supportive.

The Victorian State government provided initial funding for the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI), which now has more than 20 university partners, and the Federal Government funded the International Centre of Excellence for Education in Mathematics (ICE-EM), to be run by AMSI.

While these centres are headquartered in Melbourne, they are all national in scope.

During his presentation, Professor Guttman described the function of each centre and their inter-relationship. He talked about the particular benefits that could accrue to CQU and its surrounding communities, by an association with the Centres.

He also stressed the importance of a maths education and explained that Governments, both state and federal, are recognising the significant skill shortage in this area and are putting resources into a centre of excellence for mathematics education.

According to CQU lecturer Arthur Pinkney, who attended the presentation: “Governments have recognised that we don’t have a strong enough mathematics base in this country to support the demand from industry, and that a high standard of mathematical education in schools and universities is needed to remedy this shortfall.".

While in Mackay, Professor Guttman, along with Dr Thomas Montague, the Industry Marketing Manager of the ARC Centre, and CQU's Associate Professor Victor Korotkikh and Dr Galina Korotkikh, met with representatives of local industry.

As a result of these meetings, cooperation between CQU and the ARC Centre of Excellence is planned within the mining, sugar and transportation industries of Central Queensland.

Professor Guttman's visit was under the patronage of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Jim Mienczakowski and Director of the Office of Research Mrs Megan Barrett, and hosted on Mackay campus by Associate Professor Victor Korotkikh.

*Professor Guttman is also Director of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Mathematics and Statistics of Complex Systems.

Photo above: CQU’s Associate Professor Victor Korotkikh and Dr Galina Korotkikh with Professor Tony Guttman (right).

Photo left: Visiting Professor Tony Guttman in Mackay to talk about Mathematics in the new millennium.