15/06/2026
Can mathematics help us better understand discrimination, inequality and social exclusion?
On June 13–14, 2026, thirty undergraduate students from across Pakistan gathered at the Abdus Salam-SMS, GC University Lahore(ASSMS), for the Youth Hackathon Initiative: Building Mathematical Capacity Against Social Discrimination.
Funded by the Elsevier Mathematical Sciences Sponsorship Fund and implemented by the International Mathematics Master, the initiative challenged students to explore real-world issues through mathematical modelling, statistical analysis and computational approaches.
Working in teams, participants examined educational inequalities, hiring biases, barriers in STEM and the dynamics of social discrimination. Rather than seeking simple solutions, they engaged with complex questions, learning how mathematics can serve as a powerful tool for understanding social realities and generating informed perspectives.
The initiative concluded with a panel discussion featuring leading academics and educators, creating a space for dialogue on education, inclusion and the role of STEM in addressing contemporary challenges.
Projects like this demonstrate how mathematics can extend beyond the classroom, encouraging students to connect technical knowledge with the realities of the world around them.