Patna: The Indian Institute of Technology Patna on July 10 inaugurated the first-ever Indian Women and Mathematics (IWM) Annual Conference, marking a milestone in the recognition and promotion of women’s contributions to the field. The conference, held from July 10 to 12, has brought together more than 101 women mathematicians from India and abroad for three days of academic exchange, collaboration, and mentorship.
The inauguration began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony attended by distinguished guests including Professors T.N. Singh and A.K. Thakur, Dr Mausami Bose, Dr Y.M. Tripathi, Dr Kumari Saloni, and Dr Sushmitha P., along with other eminent scholars.
Speaking at the event, Kumari Saloni highlighted the need for a dedicated platform to strengthen women’s presence in mathematics, while A.K. Thakur reiterated IIT Patna’s commitment to nurturing a thriving mathematical research culture.
Delivering the keynote address, T.N. Singh celebrated India’s profound mathematical heritage, noting that the concept of zero was born in the region and that mathematician Aryabhata remains a guiding light for the discipline. “Without mathematics, nothing can truly be imagined,” he said.
The conference features 24 parallel sessions across diverse mathematical disciplines, alongside three plenary talks, three invited lectures, and six presentations by early-career researchers. Poster sessions will provide young mathematicians opportunities to directly engage with senior experts, encouraging mentorship and collaborative research.
Participants include students, college and university faculty, and early-career researchers, with a focus on fostering meaningful connections between junior and senior women mathematicians through both formal and informal interactions. Supported by the National Board for Higher Mathematics under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India.
