Mathematics Wiskunde

Afrikaans

Enumerative combinatorics with applications to computer science

6 - 17 January 2025, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Cimpa logo

The aim of this CIMPA school will be to familiarise graduate students and young researchers with the field of enumerative and analytic combinatorics, and to show its many connections to other areas, especially computer science.

The courses range from introductory to more advanced levels. The introductory courses will lay the groundwork by discussing the basic concepts (such as generating functions and enumeration methods) and techniques (various enumeration techniques and analytic methods such as singularity analysis). Then, techniques relating to particular combinatorial objects will be discussed, covering partitions, trees, and permutations as objects. Practical courses in SageMath covering packages and techniques used in this type of combinatorics will be given.

In the final week of the school, some afternoons will be spent forming small research groups. It is hoped that these research groups will continue online after the school.

Administrative and scientific coordinators:

Scientific committee:

  • Sarah Selkirk (University of Klagenfurt, Austria \& University of Warwick, United Kingdom)
  • Stephan Wagner (Uppsala University, Sweden \& Graz University of Technology, Austria)

Scientific program:

Course 1: “Enumeration methods”, Dimbinaina Ralaivaosaona (Stellenbosch University, South Africa)

Course 2: “Introduction to Analytic Combinatorics”, Frédérique Bassino (Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, France)

Course 3: “Partitions and q-series”, Darlison Nyirenda (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa)

Course 4: “Tree enumeration and tree parameters”, Stephan Wagner (Uppsala University, Sweden \& Graz University of Technology, Austria)

Course 5: “Exploring Permutation Statistics and their Far-reaching Consequences”, Olivia Nabawanda (Mbarara University of Science \& Technology, Uganda)

Course 6: “Analysis of algorithms”, Amalia Duch-Brown (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain)

Course 7: “Generating Combinatorial Objects and Experimental Combinatorics in SageMath”, Sarah Selkirk (University of Warwick, United Kingdom)

Course 8: “Generating Functions and Asymptotic Expansions in SageMath”, Clemens Heuberger (University of Klagenfurt, Austria)

Professional development events

These will be optional events for school attendees

  • Creating an Online Presence: Creating a professional website, making use of online tools to increase your visibility as a mathematician.
  • Effective Presentation at Conferences and in Scientific Writing: How to create a lasting positive impression when presenting research, and how to write a well-written scientific paper.
  • Doing Mathematics in Africa: Obstacles and Opportunities: A group discussion about challenges faced by researchers in Africa, and what can be done to overcome them.

Registration:

All participants are required to register. A registration link will be provided in due course.

Food and accommodation of all participants will be covered through the sponsorship of our generous funders.

We can provide financial support for travel for a limited number of participants from developing countries, application details will be available once registration opens.

Registration and application deadline: Approximately 29 August 2024

We as the organisers are committed to creating a welcoming environment for everybody. As such, we would like to strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply to the school. Additionally, if there is anything that we can do to accommodate your needs, please contact us.

Sponsors

We are currently in the process of obtaining funding for the school. If you know of a funding body that would be happy to support this event, please contact us.

Contact us:

Sarah Jane Selkirk (sarah.selkirk@aau.at)

Dimbinaina Ralaivaosaona (naina@sun.ac.za)