Deonarain Brijlall | Mathematics | Excellence in Research

Deonarain Brijlall | Mathematics | Excellence in Research

Prof Deonarain Brijlall, Durban University of Technology, South Africa

Prof. Brijlall Deonarain is a distinguished academic in Mathematics Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa. With a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Mathematics (Topology), a PhD in Mathematics, and extensive postdoctoral training, Prof. Deonarain has dedicated his career to enhancing mathematics teaching. He has held various academic leadership roles, including acting head of department and faculty representative. His research interests focus on mathematics education, curriculum development, and learning theories. Prof. Deonarain has published several influential papers, such as on optimization problem-solving and pre-service teachersโ€™ mental constructions. He actively contributes to mathematics education through grants and academic conferences. ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ”ข๐ŸŽ“

Publication Profile

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Education

Prof. Brijlall Deonarain has a diverse and extensive academic background. He earned his B.Sc. in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics from the University of Durban-Westville (UDW), South Africa, in 1984, followed by a B.Sc. (Hons) in Mathematics in 1985. He also pursued studies in Education, obtaining a UHDE in 1986 and a B.Ed (Hons) from UNISA in 1989. His technical expertise is highlighted by a National Technical Diploma in Electronics from Sastri Technical College in 1992. Prof. Deonarain completed his M.Sc. in Mathematics (cum laude) at the University of Natal in 1999 and his Ph.D. in Mathematics (Topology) from UDW in 2003. ๐ŸŽ“

Honors

Prof. Brijlall Deonarain’s career spans several decades of dedicated service in mathematics and education. Beginning as a part-time lecturer at the University of Durban-Westville in 1985, he later joined Stanger Secondary School in 1986, earning recognition for his service. His academic roles expanded to lecturer positions at Springfield College of Education and University of Natal (now UKZN), where he contributed significantly to mathematics education. Prof. Deonarain held key leadership roles, including acting head of departments and faculty representative. He was nominated as an evaluator for the Higher Education Quality Committee and participated in an Oxford Roundtable in 2008. ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿ“˜

Research Support

Prof. Brijlall Deonarain led a project titled “A Real Analysis Module for FET BEd Graduates,” conducted between 2005 and 2012, in collaboration with Prof. A. Maharaj. The project explored the relevance of an undergraduate Mathematics module to the new FET curriculum. It focused on three objectives: researching the alignment of Real Analysis with FET school topics, testing a novel pedagogical approach for presenting the course, and analyzing student responses using learning theories. The research led to two SAPSE-accredited journal papers in 2011. Prof. Deonarain also contributed to an ongoing project with Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and Witwatersrand University, developing innovative calculus teaching materials for teachers. ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿซ๐Ÿ“Š

Research Focus

Dr. D. Brijlall’s research primarily focuses on mathematics education and teacher education, particularly in the context of high school and pre-service teachers. His work explores the mental constructions of learners and teachers, investigating how they approach complex mathematical concepts like optimization, matrix algebra, and problem-solving. He uses frameworks like APOS theory (Action, Process, Object, and Schema) to study the understanding of abstract mathematical concepts. Dr. Brijlallโ€™s research also delves into pedagogical content knowledge, especially for teaching probability and mathematical problem-solving. ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿซ๐Ÿ”ข

Publication Top Notes

An exploration of the common content knowledge of high school mathematics teachers

Exploring high school learnersโ€™ mental construction during the solving of optimization

High school learners’ mental construction during solving optimisation problems in Calculus: A South African case study

Pre-service teachers’ mental constructions of concepts in matrix algebra

An APOS study on pre-service teachersโ€™ understanding of injections and surjections

Exploring the stages of Polyaโ€™s problem-solving model during collaborative learning: A case of fractions

Exploring the pedagogical content knowledge for teaching probability in middle school: A South African case study

Using an inductive approach for definition making: Monotonicity and boundedness of sequences

Exploring support strategies for high school mathematics teachers from underachieving schools

 

 

 

Abdou Sรจne | Mathematics | Best Researcher Award

Abdou Sรจne | Mathematics | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr Abdou Sรจne, Universitรฉ numรฉrique Cheikh Hamidou Kane, Senegal

Prof. Dr. Abdou Sรจne is a distinguished mathematician with a Ph.D. in Modeling and Control of Piezoelectric and Elastic Thin Plates from Joseph Fourier University, France. He specializes in applied mathematics, partial differential equations (PDE), and mathematical modeling. He has taught at various institutions, including Gaston Berger University and the Virtual University of Senegal, and has supervised numerous students. Prof. Sรจne has held leadership roles such as Head of the Applied Mathematics Department and Dean of the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences at UGB. His research spans mathematical modeling of epidemics, fluid dynamics, and control theory. ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ”ฌ๐ŸŒ

Publication Profile

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Education

Prof. Dr. Abdou Sรจne is a distinguished academic with an extensive educational background. He earned his Ph.D. in Modeling and Control of Piezoelectric and Elastic Thin Plates from Joseph Fourier University, France, in 1999. Prior to this, he obtained his Post-graduate qualification in Applied Mathematics (1994) and a Masterโ€™s degree in Applied Mathematics (1993), both from the same institution. His academic journey began with a Bachelorโ€™s degree in Physics in 1993, also from Joseph Fourier University. Prof. Sรจne’s work continues to shape the field of applied mathematics and physics. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ“š

Teaching and Supervisionย 

Prof. Dr. Abdou Sรจne has been a dedicated educator in advanced mathematics since 1999, teaching topics such as Calculus, Mathematical Modeling, Functional Analysis, and Partial Differential Equations (PDE) at Gaston Berger University and the Virtual University of Senegal. His impact extends globally through international workshops and seminars, where he shares his expertise and mentors aspiring scholars. Prof. Sรจne’s commitment to education and the advancement of mathematical knowledge has made him a prominent figure in the academic community, inspiring future generations of mathematicians and researchers. ๐ŸŒโœ๏ธ๐ŸŽ“

International Recognitionย 

Prof. Dr. Abdou Sรจne has made significant contributions to the academic community, particularly in applied mathematics. He has held leadership roles, including serving as the Head of the Applied Mathematics Department at Gaston Berger University. Additionally, he has been an Associate Professor at Laval University in Canada. His academic influence extends globally, as evidenced by his active involvement with esteemed international organizations such as ICTP (International Centre for Theoretical Physics) and CAMES (Conference of Ministers of Education of French-Speaking Countries). Prof. Sรจne’s dedication to advancing mathematics and international collaboration has earned him global recognition. ๐ŸŒ๐ŸŽ“

Research Impactย 

Prof. Dr. Abdou Sรจne’s research transcends theoretical mathematics, addressing real-world challenges with significant impact. His work in water resources management promotes sustainable agricultural practices, vital for the environment and food security. Additionally, his contributions to epidemic modeling play a crucial role in shaping public health policies, helping to mitigate health crises. By combining mathematical theory with practical applications, Prof. Sรจne’s research is making meaningful strides in tackling pressing issues such as environmental sustainability and public health. His interdisciplinary approach reflects a commitment to improving the world through science. ๐ŸŒฑ๐Ÿ’ง

Research Focus

Prof. Dr. Abdou Sรจne’s research primarily focuses on mathematical modeling, with a particular emphasis on engineering and environmental sciences. His work includes the study of orthodontic anomalies, masticatory function, shallow-water models, piezoelectric materials, and ecological modeling, such as carbon stocks in tree biomass. He has contributed significantly to the development of mathematical frameworks to address biological, physical, and engineering phenomena. His diverse interests span from environmental science and ecology ๐ŸŒ๐ŸŒฑ, to advanced engineering applications like piezoelectric materials โšก and sedimentation models ๐ŸŒŠ. He is a key figure in interdisciplinary research bridging mathematics with applied sciences. ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ”ฌ

Publication top notes

Relationship between orthodontic anomalies and masticatory function in adults

On some spurious mode issues in shallow-water models using a linear algebra approach

Modelling of piezoelectric static thin plates

Allometric equations and carbon stocks in tree biomass of Jatropha curcas L. in Senegalโ€™s Peanut Basin

Global analysis of a schistosomiasis infection model with biological control

Modelling of piezoelectric plates including magnetic effects

Efficacy of different fungicides against mango anthracnose in Senegalese Soudanian agroclimate

Modรฉlisation asymptotique de plaques: Contrรดlabilitรฉ exacte frontiรจre, piรฉzoรฉlectricitรฉ