Narendra Karmarkar

Beyond Convexity: Towards Mathematical Foundation for Non-Convex Optimisation

Abstract: For computational solutions of convex optimization problems, a rich body of knowledge including theory, algorithms, and computational experience is now available. In contrast, nothing of comparable depth and completeness can be offered at the present time, for non-convex problems. The field of convex optimization benefited immensely from pre-existing body of concepts and knowledge from pure mathematics, while non-convex problems seems to require formulation and exploration of entirely new mathematical concepts, as well as new models of computation. The intent of this talk is to describe our efforts in this direction, at a philosophical or conceptual level, without going into specific applications or implementation in software. We also point out connections with other areas, particularly mathematical physics.

Narendra Karmarkar has a B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering, (1978) Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India and a Ph.D. in Computer Science, (1983), University of California, Berkeley.

Narendra Karmarkar is currently an independent Consultant in High Performance Computing. He has also served as a Scientific Consultant, HPC, to the Office of Principle Scientific Advisor, Government of India. He is a recipient of the Fulkerson Prize in discrete mathematics, given jointly by American Mathematical Society and Mathematical Programming Society, 1988. He is the recipient of the ACM Paris Kanellakis Theory and Practice Award 2000, for theoretical advances having significant impact on the practice of computing.

He is recognized by Thompson Scientific as world's leading scientist in Computer Science and Mathematics, based on weighted citations in Science Citation Index. He proposed the Karmarkar's algorithm, which was the first efficient polynomial time algorithm for LP.

Manindra Agrawal

Primes are in P

Abstract: He will present a polynomial time algorithm for testing if a number is prime. The algorithm is an improvement on the original one given in 2002.

Manindra Agrawal is a Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. Manindra Agrawal did his BTech (1986) and PhD (1991) from the department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur. After a brief stint at Chennai Mathematical Institute, he joined the department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur in 1996. He is N Rama Rao chair professor since 2003. Manindra works in theory of computation; specifically, in complexity theory, algorithmic number theory and algebra. His best known work is in algorithmic number theory: along with two of his students, he designed the first deterministic polynomial time algorithm for testing primality of a number.

He is a fellow of several academies: Indian National Science Academy, Indian Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Sciences, and Indian National Academy of Engineers. He is also a recipient of Clay Research Award, ICTP Prize, Distinguished Alumnus Award of IIT Kanpur, Godel Prize, Fulkerson Prize, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, Infosys Mathematics Prize, and G D Birla Award.

Toshio Fukuda (Congratulations to Prof. Fukuda for being elected IEEE Region 10 Director 2011-12)

Intelligent robot for multi-mode locomotion

Abstract: Many animals, such as primates, use a primary form of locomotion but switch to other types depending on their surroundings, situation and purpose. For instance, a gorilla has high mobility in a forest by adopting bipedal walking in a narrow space, quadrupedal walking on rough terrain, climbing in a tree and brachiation in the forest canopy. Inspired by this high mobility of an animal, we have developed an anthropoid-like Multi-locomotion robot that can perform several types of locomotion and choose the proper one on an as-need basis.

Toshio Fukuda graduated from Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan in 1971 and received the Master of Engineering degree and the Doctor of Engineering degree both from the University of Tokyo, in 1973 and 1977, respectively. Meanwhile, he studied at the graduate school of Yale University from 1973 to 1975. In 1977, he joined the National Mechanical Engineering Laboratory in Japan. From 1979 to 1980, he was a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Stuttgart, West Germany. He joined the Science University of Tokyo in 1981, and then joined Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nagoya University, Japan in 1989. Prof. Fukuda is the newly elected Region 10 Director of IEEE for 2011-12.

At present, he is Professor of Dept. of Micro System Engineering and Dept. of Mechano-Informatics and Systems and Director of Center for Micro and Nano Mechatronics, Nagoya University, Japan. He is mainly engaging in the research fields of intelligent robotic system, micro and nano robotics, control of mechanical systems and technical diagnosis.