BANDUNG, fmipa.itb.ac.id, –International Conference On Optimization and Financial Mathematics (ICOFM) 2023 was successfully held at the Center for Research and Community Services (CRCS) Building, Institut Teknologi Bandung, on September 16-17. ICOFM 2023, which was held by a team of teaching staff and researchers from Industrial and Financial Mathematics Research Group of Mathematics and Actuarial Study Program, ITB, and sponsored by the ITB Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM/Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat). This conference was held with the aim of encouraging the development of mathematical optimization science in the financial industry and connecting local and global researchers.

The conference has the theme “The Role of Optimization and Financial Mathematics In Fast-Moving and Data-Driven World” with several main topics, namely optimization, financial mathematics, and actuaries.

ICOFM 2023, led by Prof. Novriana Sumarti, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., Head of Bachelor’s Program in Actuarial Science, is dedicated to Professor Kuntjoro Adji Sidarto who is entering retirement and celebrating his 70th birthday in September 2023. Prof. Kuntjoro is one of the leaders of financial mathematics in Indonesia and a pioneer in teaching financial mathematics courses at ITB with the late. Dr. Muhammad Syamsuddin since 2003.

Participants and speakers from 13 countries around the world gathered to present the latest discoveries in this scientific field, which was also attended by four keynote speakers and five plenary speaker. Guest speakers came from the United Arab Emirates, England, America, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and around Indonesia.

Keynote speakers such as Prof. Nicolas Privault from Nanyang Technological University, Prof. Khreshna Syuhada from Institut Teknologi Bandung, or Dr. Xiaoping Lu from Wollongong University, were present in person in Bandung. Several speakers, who were unable to attend, made presentations via the Zoom platform, such as Prof. Xin She Yang of Middlesex University, and Felix Go, FCAS of the North America Actuarial Group.

Participants were given the opportunity to present their latest research in interactive parallel sessions held in a hybrid manner, which consisted of five separate classes in the CAS (Center of Advanced Study) Building. Fresh and interesting arguments through the presenters were discussed in that session.

The highlight of the ICOFM 2023 event was the The Gala Dinner: Retired Prof. Kuntjoro Adji Sidarto on Saturday night. The Gala Dinner was attended by his colleagues, both from Mathematics and Actuarial, ITB, and outside the city, several industry figures, and ICOFM 2023 participants. The Gala Dinner was enlivened by the Tor-Tor Traditional Dance performance by the North Sumatra Arts Unit, band music by ITB Mathematics and Actuarial students, and special performance from former students of Prof. Kuntjoro who are a teaching staff at ITB.

Colleagues of Prof. Kuntjoro took turns presenting songs on an increasingly lively evening, and at the same time it was also touching to remember his services to the institution. Unexpectedly, one of the guest speakers from Singapore, Prof. Nicolas Privault, sang a fragment of the song Kenangan Terindah by Samsons Music Group in Indonesian language which caused loud cheers from the guests. Dr. Jasmin Lui from the Philippines also wished him a happy birthday through the song she performed.

Closing ICOFM 2023 was held on Sunday afternoon, with feelings of satisfaction among the participants and organizers, with the hope that this activity can have a big impact on scientific development, both in Indonesia and the world. There is a hope to hold a similar event again in the future, as an implementation of the responsibility of ITB researchers in disseminating the results of their research.
Official website of the International Conference On Optimization and Financial Mathematics 2023:
https://math.itb.ac.id/icofm-2023/

Author: Naura Aleysia Damayanty (10821021)