FMI, SU, is a member of ECMI since 2011. In 2012, two of its Master programs (MP) were evaluated by the ECMI Educational Committee as ECMI Model Master in Industrial Mathematics. The Master program Computational Mathematics and Mathematical Modelling (CMMM) was evaluated in branch Technomathematics, and the Master program Mathematical Modelling in Economics (MME) was evaluated in branch Economathematics. Thus, FMI was recognized as a Provisional ECMI Teaching Center. From March 2014 FMI is an ECMI Teaching Center.
The CMMM Master program aims to prepare students to work in interdisciplinary research teams, to create mathematical models of real processes in at least one domain of science and engineering and to solve them by using contemporary numerical methods and high-performance computing.
The MME Master program’s goal is to stimulate students to develop mathematical models of economic or financial processes and to solve them by using modern numerical methods and software.
A Modelling Seminar for the first year master students takes place regularly. A number of companies and institutions, for example Rila Solutions, R&D Bulgaria, ProSyst Labs, Sirma Groups, SAP, MM Solutions AD, ppResearch Ltd, Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, Institute of Metal Science, equipment, and technologies, have set real problems at the seminar. Moreover, well performing students participate in regular International ECMI Summer Schools and Modelling Weeks, in projects with business companies, etc. Graduating from the MSc programs, our students have always been welcome for PhD studies at Bulgarian, European and USA universities, as well as for work in leading companies.
ECMI Educational Activities of FMI
FMI has been sending from two to four master students to the ECMI Summer Schools and Modelling Weeks for five years now: Milan, Italy 2011; Dresden, Germany 2012; Madrid, Spain 2013; Paderborn, Germany 2014 and Lisbon, Portugal 2015. Our master students constantly perform at a very high level in their research groups.
ECMI Scientific Activities of FMI
Since 2013, FMI in collaboration with the Institute of Information and Communication Technologies and the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics at Bulgarian Academy of Sciences organizes Study Groups with Industry: ESGI’95 (2013), ESGI’104 (2014). Among the firms that posed problems were Adiss Lab Lts., MM Solutions AD, ppResearch Ltd., Unilever–Trumbull (Connecticut), State Agency for National Security. The problems and the Final reports were posted on the website http://www.maths-in-industry.org/ and were published as booklets with ISBN.
In September, 7-18 2015, ESGI’113 with a Preparatory Modelling Week for last years Bachelor students and Master students will be held in Sofia. The next ECMI Modelling week’2016, will be organized by FMI, SU in Sofia and it is already under preparation.
Together with many ECMI members FMI is involved in the COST Action TD1409 “Mathematics for Industry Network” (MI-NET). This will give new possibilities for FMI, its students and staff, to expend further their ECMI activities.
The integration of FMI in ECMI results in development, encouragement and promotion of mathematical research in Bulgarian industry and economy.