Honorary Chair: H.E. Dr. Ali Al-Bimani

INTRODUCTION

Mathematical modelling has been steadily and increasingly spreading in the natural and social sciences over the last few decades. It is now well established in vastly different areas spreading from the Physical sciences to the biological sciences, environmental sciences and economics. The main reason for such a rapid expansion is due to the information obtained through the study of mathematical models of real life problems leading a deep understanding of the basic mechanisms controlling the behaviour of such a problem and all this is obtained at a relatively small cost, compared to that used for a trial and error experimentation to locate the most important ranges of parameters controlling a real life problem.

Most well-established research centres then use mathematical modelling as part of their strategies so that real life problems of their concern can be mathematically modelled to identify the controlling factors of the problem before experiments are set to illustrate the phenomenon experimentally.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics (DOMAS), College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) is planning to establish a research group for mathematical modelling of problems of particular relevance to the country. To launch such a project, it is planned to hold an International Conference on Mathematical Modelling. This conference will be concerned with mathematical modelling of petroleum and underground water flows. These two areas are chosen for the first such conference because of their strategic importance to the Sultanate (and the neighbouring countries).

We would like to extend our invitation to all those concerned with studies on petroleum and underground water will attend the meeting. In particular, we hope that all those in the Gulf Countries will attend the conference.

In special cases, some partial financial support may be available.