Introduction

A Study Group Meeting is a workshop where mathematicians and statisticians of academic institutions work on problems directly related to industry. European Study Groups with Industry originated in the UK under the name Oxford Study Groups with Industry. The concept has been adopted in other countries and study groups have become the leading workshop for interaction between Mathematics and Industry. Study groups also function as a privileged ground for the transfer of mathematical technology between University and Industry. Nowadays, this is practicing many institutions and in particular, the several universities in India and also in Sri Lanka organize such study group meetings as their regular academic events in collaboration with European academic institutions. The Study Group Meeting on Mathematics and Statistics for Industry (SGMMSI-2014) also follows the Oxford model of such workshop originated as European Study Group with Industry. The last such meeting;“One –Day work shop on Mathematics in Industry (WMI2013)” was held at the University of Ruhuna in March 2013 in collaboration with the Center for Industrial Mathematics, The MS University of Baroda, India, and was successful in bringing out new industrial problems and exposing the younger participants to opportunities and challenges in the field of Applied Mathematics and Scientific Computation. The propose study group meeting is a step taken towards with the aim to interact with industries in various aspects in solving their problems using mathematical and statistical modeling as a tool. It is well-known fact that most of the technological processes in industry are described effectively by using mathematical framework. Thus, mathematics plays a central role in solving real world problems pertaining to any discipline. However, there is hardly any coordination between the Applied Mathematics research done in academic institutions and problem solving methodologies used by Industries. Applied Mathematics researchers do talk about techniques for potential applications, but lack in tackling real world problem using these techniques. On the other hand, most of the industries use Mathematical and Statistical Techniques like black box and it causes to limit their problem solving potential and they find it difficult to develop any innovative methodologies for tackling problems in their area.

Objectives of SGMMSI 2014

The principal objective is to develop the link between mathematics and statistics researchers and industrial sector to some extent. We intend to take up live real world problems from industries, and demonstrate to the participants the problem solving strategies used by industries including problem analysis, modeling, computer simulations and detailed analysis of the results. More precisely, the objectives of the study group meeting will be as follows:
  1. To make the participants aware of the time bound problem solving strategies adopted by industries.
  2. To emphasize the importance of teamwork and interdisciplinary approach to problem solving.
  3. To highlight the strength of Mathematical and Statistical Technologies in solving real life problems and thereby encourage the industries to interact with academic institutions.
  4. To encourage the researchers (students) in Applied Sciences to work on meaningful real world problems.

Nature of the SGMMSI 2014

The Study Group will follow the usual format of presentations from industry introducing a problem on the first day, followed by intensive work on the problem by groups during the next two days and presentations by the academics on the final day. A report on each problem will be prepared after the meeting. The companies in the region are invited to submit practical problems with the technical nature that they wish to be investigated. About six problems are chosen to include in the workshop (Study Group Meeting). In addition, the companies are required to send representatives to present their problems to the workshop on the first day and to remain on-hand throughout the programme. In addition, supervisors from universities may present real-world problems.
The possible solutions to the underlying problems are presented in a series of seminars on the last day and a full report is also produced for each problem and published as a book of proceedings following the conclusion of the workshop. Moreover, there would be a possibility to continue the research concerning the unsolved parts of the problems as undergraduate or postgraduate research project in collaboration with industry as future work.
It is expected to discuss the case studies from industries pertaining to the application areas: Modeling and Simulation, Industrial Statistics, Scientific Computing Computational Finance and Computational Biology. The resource persons are the senior academic staff members in respective fields, invited senior staff members from other universities and experts from respective industries.

Anticipated Outcomes

For the participated B.Sc. Special/General Degree students who wish to engage research with real world problems in industrial sector, the study group meeting is a resource to clarify and formulate a proposed or existing process, to study the methods to solve problems of interest to industry, to establish links with mathematicians and scientists and also to use advance modeling techniques for solving industrial problems. Moreover, this research activity/training in multidisciplinary nature will open various paths to carry out industry oriented research in future. Though the entire workshop, it is expected to develop the scientific writing skills of the undergraduates (participants). Also to give them a well training to conduct efficient presentations on their research findings to the management of the respective industries, minimizing the mathematical terms and expressions. More precisely, the participating students will have the opportunity to develop their skills in
  1. Understanding the relevant problems in industry
  2. Identifying or creating mathematical/statistical models or processes to formulate the problems
  3. Using most appropriate mathematical or statistical tools to solve the formulated problems
  4. Developing computer codes/programs to solve the problems
  5. Simulating of results using computer programs and mathematical or statistical software
  6. Preparing of presentations on problem and possible solutions for general public.