Professor Mohammed Jiya of the Department of Mathematics, Federal University of Technology, Minna has asserted that Mathematics is the language of the universe.
He made the assertion while delivering the 104th Inaugural Lecture of the University, titled ” Mathematics the Language of the Universe: Applied Mathematics My Dialect”presented on Wednesday February 15, 2023 at the University Auditorium, Main Campus, Gidan Kwano, Minna.
Prof. Jiya clarified that the universe cannot be read until we have learnt the language and become familiar with the characters in which it is written, adding that “It is written in Mathematical language and the letters are triangles, circles and other geometric figures without which it is humanly impossible to comprehend.”
The Inaugural Lecturer who was emphatic about the potentials of Mathematics in human life, divided the subject into three categories, namely: Pure Mathematics, which is the study of abstract relationships, Applied Mathematics that deals with the application of Mathematical knowledge to other fields and Computational Mathematics which has computer at the focal point of its operation.
He further said that Mathematics is one of the things that distinguish humans from animals through human ability to think and communicate abstract ideas, adding that even sports is enjoyed better through mathematics. On Mathematical Modelling, he explained that it consists of simplifying real life problems and representing them as mathematical problems, thereby solving the mathematical problems and interpreting the solution in the language of real life by the means of formulation, finding solution/ interpretation and evaluation.
Prof. Jiya itemised some human activities that Mathematics has contributed in promoting such as bank assets and liability portfolio system, the teaching of measurements, the development of logical and critical thinking, the use of mathematics in financing and budgeting, the interpretation of numbers and the use of Mathematics in music composition amongst others.
He recommended that “all hands must be on deck by policy makers to make the atmosphere conducive for teaching, learning and researching in Mathematics.”
Prof. Jiya further recommended that Mathematicians should be employed to teach the subject at all levels in Secondary schools, just as he frowned at the practice of assigning people from other disciplines to teach Mathematics in secondary schools.
He also urged Mathematics to relate all topics to real life applications for easy understanding and comprehension, just as he advised that the teaching of Mathematics in mother should also be encouraged.
At the end of the lecture, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta eulogised the presenter for the concise presentation and went further to recognised the dignitaries who graced the lecture.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of certificate and plaque to the Inaugural Lecturer in recognition of his contribution to knowledge.
