Awarded to Edward Lungu (Gabarone, Botswana).
The Su Buchin Prize was established to provide international recognition of an outstanding contribution by an individual in the application of Mathematics to emerging economies and human development, in particular at the economic and cultural level in developing countries. It was created on the initiative of the CSIAM, and is being awarded for the second time. Carrying a cash award of USD 1000, the Su Buchin Prize is presently funded by CSIAM.
Edward Lungu of the University of Botswana receives the 2011 ICIAM Su~Buchin Prize for his mathematical modelling of problems related to Africa and his fundamental contribution to developing teaching, research and organizational structures for applied mathematics in Southern Africa.
Edward Lungu is a professor of mathematics at the University of Botswana, in Gabarone, Botswana. His first degree came in 1975 from the University of Zambia. A Master's degree and also his 1980 Ph.D. followed, being awarded by the University of Bristol. Edward Lungu has been described as a ``fundamental person'' in the development of teaching and research in applied mathematics in Southern Africa. As founder and leader of SAMSA (Southern Africa Mathematical Sciences Association) and later of AMMSI (the Millenium Initiative) he has simply done everything that one person could do: organized, encouraged, supervised, and led by his personal example in teaching and research. For Botswana itself Professor Lungu has developed models in:
- hydrology — Botswana relies on storing rainfall;
- ecology — domestic livestock as well as wildlife are keys to the economy; and
- epidemiology — to understand the progression of HIV/AIDS and how to help the victims.
In choosing these three research areas, he has responded to the greatest needs of his fellow men and women. The series of recent papers in mathematical biosciences model the differential progression of HIV/AIDS based on characteristics of patients and the care they receive. In developing mathematical education and research Edward Lungu has been described as a "giant force" — a force with organizational talent, tireless energy, and a friendly personality. That is a most wonderful combination. His years of work have brought successes for applied mathematics that we are very happy to recognize today.
Subcommittee for the 2011 ICIAM Su Buchin Prize
- Gilbert Strang (MIT, USA), chair;
- John Ball (Heriot-Watt, Scotland);
- Mohamed H.A. Hassan (TWAS, Italy);
- Lin Qun (Beijing);
- Ragnar Winther (Oslo).