Students to benefit from U of M Partnership with international math consortium
The University of Manitoba has joined the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences, (PIMS) consortium as a full member. The international consortium is dedicated to enhancing mathematics education for K-12 students, a focus which can strengthen the mathematical background of incoming students at the University of Manitoba, to the benefit of both students and faculty.
“The University of Manitoba is delighted to be joining the PIMS network, and we look forward to a fruitful partnership,” says Stefi Baum, Dean, Faculty of Science. “This is an important step in our program of enhancing research, education and outreach in the mathematical, statistical and computational sciences. The extension of PIMS to the province of Manitoba will bring dedicated and active scientists and educators under the PIMS umbrella to share their expertise, accomplishments and insight with the other members of the consortium.”
The PIMS consortium, founded in 1996, has built an international reputation for excellence and transformed the conditions of mathematical research in Canada.
With the incorporation of the University of Manitoba, the PIMS consortium now has ten full members, including all the major research universities in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Washington State.
PIMS’ support for research in the mathematical sciences will enhance the research profile, and expand graduate programs and outreach initiatives of several faculties on campus, including the Asper School of Business, Education, Engineering, and Science.
PIMS Interim Director, Martin Barlow, notes: “PIMS is excited to be welcoming Manitoba to the PIMS consortium; they have valuable strengths in a number of areas in the mathematical sciences―combinatorics is a good example. Through our collaborative research groups, summer schools, postdoctoral opportunities, broadcast seminars and educational activities, Manitoba faculty and students will be important contributors to PIMS activities.”
The University of Manitoba, dedicated to finding opportunities to develop an inclusive and supportive learning environment that promotes Indigenous student success, will also benefit from the many PIMS initiatives aimed at improving Indigenous mathematics education and outreach.
Dean Baum will represent the University on the PIMS Board of Directors and Kirill Kopotun, department of mathematics, has been appointed as the PIMS Site Director beginning July 1, 2015.
Research at the University of Manitoba is partially supported by funding from the Government of Canada Research Support Fund.