Bhubaneswar, May 8: This summer, the Institute of Mathematics and Applications (IMA) here is running a series of programme to groom young mathematicians from the state. The Rural Mathematics Talent Search, 2012, is set to begin on May 10 and will continue for two weeks. Over 200 students of classes VII, VIII, IX will participate in the event, scheduled to be organised at Larambha in Bargarh district.

Students as well as their guide teachers will be trained in innovative mathematical problem-solving strategies. “The training will be all about solving a particular problem in different ways,” said Swadhin Patnaik, director of the institute.

A similar programme will be launched at Stewart School in Cuttack for the students of coastal and southern Odisha. The programme would be held from May 11 to 30.

A mathematics training programme for 150 tribal students is already on at the Capital Girls’ High School in Bhubaneswar. Students from Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Nabrangpur, Kandhamal and their teachers are being trained on how to perform well at various math Olympiads.

“Students from rural areas are unable to compete with urban students in public schools. This is not because of lack of talent in students from rural areas but because of lack of information and training,” said Patnaik. “Often, it is seen that with some guidance, students discarded as dullards perform outstandingly,” he said.

Looking at the shortage of qualified mathematicians in the industry, the institute is also running a two-week national training programme on ‘differential equations and applications’. Jointly organised by the IMA and the IIT-Mumbai, the programme that started on Monday aims to train undergraduate students in the subject so that they can build a career in the field. As many as 45 students from across the country are participating in the programme that will continue up to May 26. “There is a dearth of qualified mathematicians in the industry. Students who seriously pursue it as a subject can get into very good positions in interesting fields such as biomathematics, navigation and space science,” Patnaik said.