Mr Victor Uzor graduated summa cum laude with a Master of Science specialising in Mathematics.
Uzor completed his undergraduate degree at the Michael Okpara (Federal) University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia in Nigeria. It was during this time that he developed a passion for pure mathematics.
He said that he chose UKZN for his master’s degree as it is a research-friendly environment with access to local and international educational resources. It also offered an experienced supervisor in his field and fee remission.
His research entailed formulating algorithms in the form of mathematical models, proving their validity and applying them to solve optimisation and other real-life problems such as image recovery and processing, and optimal control. His research outputs can be applied to solve problems in industry, economics, decision making, communication and technology.
Uzor explained that certain real-life problems can be directly modelled into mathematical equations. Hence, solving these equations would be equivalent to solving a practical problem. For example, the results obtained from solving certain optimisation problems can be applied to optimising profit and cost/consumer prediction. Solving variational inequality problems can be very useful in image recovery (where a blurred image is restored by an algorithm in the form of mathematical equations) and signal restoration. These diverse applications are relevant in the fields of communication, ICT, sales and marketing.
He described his master’s studies as exciting but challenging as he was required to independently produce tangible, quality research outputs.
Uzor expressed his gratitude to his supervisor, Professor Oluwatosin Mewomo, co-supervisor, Dr Timilehin Alakoya and his colleagues. He also thanked his parents, siblings, his aunt and the family of the late elder Joseph Ezeagwula, for their moral and financial support.
Mewomo commended Uzor for completing his MSc summa cum laude and in record time. Alakoya commented that Uzor’s research will benefit society. He added that he produced three research articles, one of which has been published, with two under review for reputable Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) and Scopus indexed international journals.
Uzor is currently pursuing a PhD at UKZN.
Words: Leena Rajpal
Photograph: Supplied