Philippine Mathematical Society

Philippine Mathematical Society is a learned society in the Philippines that brings together professional mathematicians, educators, and researchers to promote mathematical research, instruction, and public appreciation. Founded in the early 20th century, it has interacted with regional bodies such as the Southeast Asian Mathematical Society and global organizations including the International Mathematical Union, while participating in national initiatives involving the Department of Education (Philippines), the University of the Philippines, and the Ateneo de Manila University. Its activities have intersected with competitions like the International Mathematical Olympiad and programs run by institutions such as the Asian Institute of Management.

History

The society traces origins to academic circles active during the American colonial period in the Philippines, with early meetings involving faculty from the University of Santo Tomas, the University of the Philippines Diliman, and the De La Salle University. Over decades the society engaged with visiting scholars from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, and University of Cambridge, and collaborated with regional partners such as National University of Singapore and University of Malaya. During the mid-20th century the society responded to national reconstruction efforts after World War II, coordinating efforts with institutions like the Philippine Normal University and the National Science Development Board (Philippines). In later decades it expanded ties to international events including the International Congress of Mathematicians and the Asian Mathematical Conference, and contributed to national awards such as the National Scientist of the Philippines recognitions and academic prizes administered by the Commission on Higher Education.

Organization and Governance

The society is governed by an elected council drawn from academics affiliated with universities such as University of the Philippines Manila, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Ateneo de Manila University and professional staff from research institutes like the Philippine Statistics Authority. Leadership posts have been held by members with affiliations to institutions including the Silliman University, Mindanao State University, and the University of San Carlos. Governance follows statutes influenced by models from organizations like the American Mathematical Society and the London Mathematical Society, coordinating with regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippines) for legal status. Committees oversee liaison with contests run by the Mathematical Olympiad of the Philippines and engagement with international delegations to events such as the International Mathematical Olympiad.

Membership and Activities

Membership comprises faculty from the College of Science (Ateneo de Manila University), graduate students from programs at the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science, researchers attached to the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development, and professionals from statistical offices and private sector firms including alumni of the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank Philippines office. Regular activities include seminars featuring invited speakers from the University of Tokyo, the University of California, Berkeley, and the National University of Ireland; problem-solving sessions inspired by competitions like the International Mathematical Olympiad and the Philippine Mathematical Olympiad; and collaborative workshops with regional societies such as the Mathematical Society of Japan and Chinese Mathematical Society. The society also issues recognitions and awards comparable to honors by the Academia Sinica and the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Publications and Conferences

The society publishes bulletins and journals that have historically been circulated in partnership with university presses at the University of the Philippines Press and the Ateneo de Manila University Press. These publications have featured contributions by scholars with connections to Princeton University Press and articles reviewing proceedings from conferences such as the International Congress of Mathematicians and the Southeast Asian Mathematical Conference. Periodic national conferences are hosted in venues including the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Philippine International Convention Center, and campus auditoriums at the University of Santo Tomas and the University of San Carlos, often with invited plenary speakers from institutions like the Institute for Advanced Study and the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics. The society’s proceedings have been cited alongside works published by the American Mathematical Society and featured speakers affiliated with the Mathematical Association of America.

Education and Outreach

Outreach programs engage schools affiliated with the Department of Education (Philippines), teacher training centers at the Philippine Normal University, and student chapters at universities including the University of the Philippines Los Baños and De La Salle University–Manila. Collaborative initiatives have been run with national competitions such as the Philippine Mathematical Olympiad and regional events coordinated by the ASEAN University Network. The society coordinates workshops for mathematics teachers modeled after training programs at the National University of Singapore and exchanges involving delegations to conferences like the International Mathematical Union meetings and the Asia Pacific Mathematics Conference. Public lectures have been delivered in partnership with museums and cultural institutions such as the Ayala Museum and the National Museum of the Philippines, and community programs have included problem-solving camps inspired by curricula from the International Baccalaureate and national scholarship programs administered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Category:Learned societies of the Philippines Category:Mathematical societies