Research Seminars and Forums

The Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Insurance recently organized a research seminar on the topic of “An Optimal Control Approach to Epidemic Disease Modelling Using Neural Networks”. The seminar, held on 21 Nov 2024, featured Dr. Ping CHEN, an Associate Professor from the Department of Economics, The University of Melbourne, as the guest speaker.

Dr. Chen presents a three-layer neural network model for optimizing vaccination strategies and managing pandemics. The model, validated through a case study in Victoria, Australia, during COVID-19, includes a stochastic compartment model and sensitivity analyses to assess the effectiveness of various vaccination strategies and their adaptability to changing conditions.

The seminar garnered significant interest, attracting over 20 students and faculty members from the department and beyond. Participants had the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with Dr. Chen, fostering a collaborative environment for further exploration of the topic. We sincerely express our gratitude to Dr. Chen for sharing her valuable insights and expertise during the seminar.