By Susanne C. Brenner and Kathleen Kavanagh
The SIAM student chapter program has experienced steady growth in recent years. 2022 was no exception, as students started 19 new chapters at institutions all over the world. Last year saw the noteworthy formation of the first three SIAM student chapters in Japan, a new chapter in China, a twofold increase (from two to four) in the number of chapters in Hong Kong, and three new chapters in South Asia: two in India and one in Pakistan. Nine additional chapters also formed in the U.S., as did one in the U.K.
In November 2022, we once again hosted a series of “Meet and Greet” events with the assistance of Maggie Hohenadel, SIAM’s Student Chapter and Fellows Coordinator. Three separate virtual sessions on Zoom welcomed the newly formed chapters. During the first session, we met with faculty advisors, officers, and members from the Waseda University SIAM Student Chapter in Japan and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology SIAM Student Chapter. Representatives from chapters at St. Olaf College, the United States Military Academy West Point, and West Texas A&M University joined the second meeting. And the final meeting included participants from Durham University in the U.K., Jaypee University of Information Technology in India, and Vellore Institute of Technology, Bhopal in India.
During these get-togethers, we discussed opportunities and procedures for SIAM student chapters within the Society. For example, SIAM conferences are a particularly effective way for students to learn about current trends in applied mathematics and computational science, expand their professional networks, and engage with the broader scientific community. Chapter members were especially interested in SIAM Student Travel Awards and conference “Student Days,” which sometimes include undergraduate research minisymposia. We also highlighted the SIAM Visiting Lecturer Program as an excellent source of speakers for both in-person and virtual chapter events. Finally, each participating chapter shared some of the exciting plans that they intend to implement in the future.
We look forward to reviewing the annual reports for all of the new and existing SIAM student chapter activities, and learning more about each chapter’s endeavors in the coming year. Here’s to a successful and prosperous 2023!
| |
Susanne C. Brenner is a professor of mathematics at Louisiana State University and a Past President of SIAM. |
 |
Kathleen Kavanagh is a professor of mathematics at Clarkson University and the Vice President for Education at SIAM. |