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1..The American Mathematical Society is presenting several prizes at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in New Orleans, including two prizes that are awarded jointly with two other mathematics organizations, the Mathematical Association of America and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.AMS Steele Prize for Mathematical Exposition: DAVID MUMFORD of Brown University for "his beautiful expository accounts of a host of aspects of algebraic geometry".AMS Steele Prize for a Seminal Contribution to Research: KAREN UHLENBECK, University of Texas at Austin "for her foundational contributions in analytic aspects of mathematical gauge theory".AMS Steele Prize for Lifetime Achievement: HENRY P. MCKEAN, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, "for his rich and magnificent mathematical career".
2..A UGC sponsored three-day National Seminar on Graph Theory and Its Applications, was inaugurated here on Thursday 4 January at the Xavier block auditorium, St Aloysius College Mangalore.The seminar began with the rendition of the prayer song by the students. The event was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Eugene Lobo, Principal, St. Aloysius College, an economist. The inaugural function was presided over by Vice Principal, Prof. Eric Patrao, who gave the welcome speech and gave some colorful anecdotes about mathematics and how important a role it plays in everyday life. Prof. Dr. M Abdul Rahiman former Vice Chancellor Kannur University and the Calicut University was the guest of honour. Prof. E. Sampath Kumar delivered the Keynote address and Dr. Parameshwara Bhat, the chairman, Dept of Mathematics, Mangalore University released the abstract and seminar proceedings.
3.What students need is better math instruction in elementary and junior high. If they don't receive a solid foundation in math in early years, it is very difficult to "catch up" in high school.A recent article in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics newsletter stated the main reason why students are failing math in large numbers is that "U.S. mathematics curricula are a mile wide and an inch deep." In general, teachers in each grade level are accountable to teach a wide range of math standards. However, the large number of standards makes it virtually impossible to spend enough adequate time on each topic to ensure mastery of every skill by every student.