On 14 March 2019, the Oman Mathematics Committee celebrated the International Day of Mathematics at Sultan Qaboos University under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Mona Salem Al Jardani, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Manpower for Technical Education and Vocational Training. The celebration was held in association with Higher College of Technology in Muscat two schools in the capital city and Mathnasium.

International Day of Mathematics is celebrated on 14 March every year as per the invitation of the International Mathematics Union with the aim of improving understanding among the public, decision makers and in schools, of the importance of mathematics in education. The goal includes contributing to capacity building in mathematical and scientific education, with special focus on girls and children from developing countries.

Dr. Magda Talib Al Hinai, Chair of Oman Mathematics Committee, said that the activities include a full day training for mathematics teachers in higher educational institutions in Oman on the use of GeoGebra and MathXpert. GeoGebra is a multi-platform dynamic mathematics tool for all levels of education that joins geometry, algebra, tables, graphing, statistics and calculus whereas  MathXpert is a program that helps to solve the problems in mathematics and designed to replace blackboards and homework.  “The second axis is a competition for fifth and fourth grade students run by Mathnasium. The third axis is a full-day competition for ninth-graders run by lecturers from the Higher College of Technology”, she said.

Dr. Magda said that the Oman Mathematics Committee has joined hands with the Ministry of education to conduct training programs and workshops on integration of technology in math education. So far, workshops have been conducted in Musandam, Dhofar, Al Buraimi and other some areas of Oman. The Committee is preparing to conduct workshop in South Al Bathina area in a few days. She added that the Committee has finalized the theme of the fifth edition of the annual international conference on mathematics, which will be “math teaching in special education”. To promote research in mathematics, the Committee would organize the second edition of the annual mathematics research forum by holding three international workshops in December this year in coordination with Sultan Qaboos University and Nizwa College of Technology.

Dr. Saad Salman Ahmad from the Higher College of Technology gave a talk that highlighted the challenges in math teaching in the era of technological advancements. Dr. Huda Al-Shuaili from the same college gave a talk on the role of mathematics in the Fourth Industrial Revolution".