UNESCO to set up Centre of Excellence in Mathematics

Plans have been unfolded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to set up Centre of Excellence in Mathematics in the country.
The UNESCO Representative in the country, Dr. Osuji Otu, disclosed this in Abuja, while addressing participants at the international symposium, jointly organised by the African Academy of Sciences and African Mathematical Union on current research trends in Mathematical Sciences and Applications.
He noted that Nigeria was granted UNESCO Chair of Mathematical Science as part of efforts to change the current trend in the decline of Mathematics studies in Africa, adding that UNESCO is partnering the National Mathematical Centre to reverse the trend.
According to Osuji, the symposium would chart effective course for better propagation of current developments in the Mathematical Science for the African continent.
He said: “The status of Mathematics in our schools and universities is in sharp decline and this explains the interest ECOWAS has displayed by hosting the symposium”
“The standard of living of a nation depends on scientific and technological development which implies foremost development and research in all sectors, and particularly in the fields of Mathematics.”
The UNESCO Representative stressed the need to redefine effective strategy to share skills while all hands must be on deck in order to rebuild a common vision in Mathematical and Science studies.
On the importance of the international symposium on Science and Mathematics on the African continent, the President of the African Mathematical Union and the Director-General of National Mathematical Centre, Prof. Adewale Solarin, said the conference would go a long way in helping to reframe national and regional policies on Mathematical sciences.
Solarin also added that the symposium would expose Africans to the current trend and new frontiers of research to key areas of Mathematical sciences.
He, however, noted that the conference will chart effective course for further propagation of current developments in the studies of mathematics.
“The aim is to get experts from across the world to expose Africans to the current trends that is the frontiers of research in the various areas of mathematical sciences and it has the benefit of reducing cost. We have many professors on the subject matter all over the world and we also have many students across Africa to learn from them and tap into their wealth of experience,” he explained.