A Summer in Math

Summer is one of the best seasons for science. When classes are over, graduate students and early career researchers head to conferences and schools around the world, often taking place at inspiring venues, and combining lectures with leisure. The International Mathematics Master’s Summer Internship Programme is no different: every year, it takes some of the best students from the International Mathematics Master (IMM) in Algeria and Pakistan on an extended, fully immersive experience in mathematics.

This year, the journey started on 6 July at ICTP, where the students spent the first two weeks, before moving to the prestigious Scuola Matematica Interuniversitaria in Perugia, Italy, where, for four weeks, the students had the opportunity to strengthen their skills in a mathematical field of their choice among algebraic geometry, complex analysis, differential geometry, functional analysis, and mathematical statistics. 

The time at ICTP was spent between mini-courses and advanced research talks on different areas of mathematics, interspersed with soft-skill enhancing and career mentorship activities. The programme also included a one-afternoon hiking activity and a boat trip in Trieste. Students of IMM Pakistan and IMM Algeria met for the first time during the programme and these social activities were important occasions for them to bond with colleagues from across the world. 

During the programme, the students were asked to put their presentation skills into practice by creating posters on a topic of their choice in mathematics. Taking place at the end of the two weeks, the poster session was a great moment to collect the students’ impressions on their time at ICTP.

Kashaf Aslam, IMM Pakistan

“It was a very good experience, we met a lot of people, both researchers and students. We learnt ways to improve ourselves both as mathematicians and personally. 
The first thing I will do when I go back home is to change my way of studying. The second thing is to walk more. I really like the way of living here, people bike and walk a lot, and seeing that has been inspiring.”

Muhammad Haseeb, IMM Pakistan

“What I liked the most about these two weeks is that they were a combination of many things. We attended lectures and worked in groups, solving exercises. There was a nice balance between studying and enjoying.
I got a chance to work with different people every day, which exposed me to different ways of thinking. These two weeks also helped me realise that with a more structured schedule one can find the time to study and to have fun. When I go back to Pakistan, I will try and create a timetable for myself.”

Mourad Zenati, IMM Algeria

“We attended lectures on a wide range of subjects that expanded on the courses we attended during the year. I particularly enjoyed the course of Gabriele Benedetti on convexity and its properties. 
It was nice to meet many people from different countries who were here at ICTP to attend other activities, and it was interesting to get to know my fellow students from IMM Pakistan. I am looking forward to going to Perugia, where I chose to attend classes in functional analysis and complex analysis, which are also the topics of my poster.”

Roumaissa Messikh, IMM Algeria

“The place is beautiful, the courses were really interesting and it was very nice to be surrounded by many people who share my interest in mathematics. The thing that I liked the most about ICTP is that blackboards are everywhere – at any point one can stop and start discussing mathematics. 
I’m going to bring home a lot of mathematics and many funny stories. Here at the school I met someone who works on mathematical music theory and taught me about it. When I go home I want to explore that in greater depth. I will also talk about this programme to my friends back in Algeria, maybe they will have the opportunity to participate one day.”