2nd International Conference on Computational Mathematics and Applications inaugurated in Gangtok
Gangtok, Oct 29 (IPR): The 2nd International Conference on Computational Mathematics and Applications (ICCMA 2026) was inaugurated today at a local hotel in Gangtok, bringing together academicians, researchers, scholars and experts from India and abroad to deliberate on emerging developments in computational mathematics and its applications.
The two-day international conference, being held on October 29 and 30, is jointly organised by the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Sikkim, NIT Silchar and NIT Nagaland.
Minister of Education, Government of Sikkim, Mr Raju Basnet, attended the inaugural session as the chief guest along with Professor Ivana Budinská of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia, Professor RK Sharma of Delhi Technological University, and Director, NIT Patna, Professor Pradip Kumar Jain, as the guests of honour.
Also present on the dais were Chief Patron and Director, NIT Sikkim, Prof Mahesh Chandra Govil, and Conference Chair, Dr Kedar Nath Das.
Addressing the gathering, Education Minister, Mr Basnet, congratulated the three NITs for bringing together researchers from across India and abroad and emphasised the importance of academic collaboration in advancing scientific knowledge.
He highlighted the foundational role of mathematics in modern science and technology while delving into its growing relevance in areas such as artificial intelligence, medical applications, engineering and weather forecasting.
Reflecting on India’s longstanding contribution to mathematics, the Minister spoke about the country’s rich mathematical heritage, including the development of zero, the decimal system and early mathematical concepts that have contributed significantly to modern computation. He stated that India’s influence through mathematical ideas had travelled across regions through scholarly and cultural exchanges.
Speaking on the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence, he said that computational mathematics and data-driven tools could also contribute to addressing challenges specific to Sikkim, including the prediction of landslides and other weather and environment-related risks.
Emphasising the importance of research and scientific temperament among young people, Mr Basnet said that the Government of Sikkim remains committed to quality education and nurturing scientific aptitude among the youth in line with the vision of the National Education Policy 2020.
He encouraged students to make the most of their interaction with eminent academicians and researchers attending the conference, and urged senior academicians to mentor the next generation of researchers and strengthen institutional collaborations.
He assured that the state government would continue to support academic and research initiatives that expand knowledge, opportunities and exposure for students in Sikkim.
Guest of Honour, Prof Ivana Budinská of the Slovak Academy of Sciences highlighted the value of international academic collaboration and encouraged researchers from India and Slovakia to explore greater cooperation and create synergies through the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
Referring to the rapid advancement of AI, she said that while the growing influence of AI has opened significant possibilities, it has also raised concerns regarding the understanding and control of increasingly powerful AI models. She added that mathematics could play an important role in helping explain the functioning of such models and in supporting the development of reliable and responsible AI systems.
She expressed hope that the conference would facilitate meaningful discussions, fruitful exchanges and new perspectives among the participating researchers and wished the presenters success in their deliberations.
Guest of honour, Prof RK Sharma, Delhi Technological University spoke about the complementary relationship between theoretical and computational mathematics. He added that while computational methods can help explore and estimate solutions to complex problems, mathematical theory and proof remain essential for establishing their validity.
He further delved into the broad applications of mathematics across disciplines, while highlighting the importance of conferences as platforms for bringing together researchers, exchanging ideas, discussing new discoveries and fostering continued academic collaboration.
Guest of honour, Prof Pradip Kumar Jain, NIT Patna, in his address, stated that mathematics and computation form the foundation of scientific discovery and technological advancement, with applications ranging from artificial intelligence and machine learning to climate modelling, optimisation and complex engineering systems.
He stressed that the rapid growth of AI, data science and high-performance computing must be accompanied by mathematical rigour, scientific reasoning and careful validation to ensure reliable outcomes.
In his remarks, Director, NIT Sikkim, Prof Mahesh Chandra Govil, highlighted the increasing importance of mathematical modelling, numerical methods, scientific computing and data-driven techniques in addressing complex contemporary challenges.
He stressed the need for computational results to be accurate, stable and reliable, and called for greater interdisciplinary research involving mathematics, engineering, computer science and other fields.
He further added that the joint organisation of the conference by NIT Sikkim, NIT Silchar and NIT Nagaland would provide opportunities for sustained research partnerships, joint academic initiatives and greater collaboration among faculty and students. He encouraged young researchers to remain curious, question assumptions and connect their research with real-world needs.
On the occasion, the Book of Abstracts of ICCMA 2026 was released by chief guest Mr Raju Basnet, in the presence of the dignitaries and participants.
The inaugural session concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by organising chair, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NIT Sikkim, Dr Arvind Panda.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by conference chair, Dr Kedar Nath Das.
The two-day long conference will feature academic and technical sessions focusing on contemporary areas of computational mathematics and its applications, providing opportunities for researchers, faculty and students to engage in discussions and share their work.
Report from DIO-GANGTOK