Professor Yeni Susanti, lecturer in the Mathematics Program at the UGM Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM), was officially inaugurated as a professor on Thursday (Feb. 13).
Professor Susanti was appointed a professor of discrete mathematics after delivering her “Cayley Graph: Beautiful Traces in Discrete Mathematics” speech at the Senate Hall, UGM Central Office.
In her presentation, Professor Susanti explained that mathematics is often viewed as a collection of numbers and formulas, which can sometimes feel distant from everyday life.
However, she pointed out that every modern technology many people use today results from developments derived from mathematics.
“What we use, or in the small patterns in nature, there are beautiful traces of mathematics working without us realizing it,” Professor Susanti stated in her speech.
Discrete mathematics, the field she specializes in, focuses on a branch called graph theory.
She explained that this theory encourages us to view the world as a network of points connected by lines.
“This concept illustrates that nearly every relationship in the world, whether social, technological, or scientific, can essentially be represented using graphs,” she said.
According to the professor, graph theory has developed into a significant mathematical exploration tool for understanding abstract structures like algebraic graphs and practical applications.
She highlighted that the important concept of graphs is mathematically interesting and plays a crucial role in various applications.
“This can be seen in networks and communications, transportation optimization, information security, and artificial intelligence,” said the mother of five children.
Professor Susanti further emphasized that graph theory is also vital in four mathematical explorations and the development of abstract concepts that enrich the field of mathematics.
She gave an example of algebraic graph studies that reveal deep connections between abstract algebraic structures and graph theory.
According to her, focusing on these theoretical aspects and supporting technological innovations also showcases mathematics’s beauty and depth.
“The beauty lies in the harmony between abstract structures and geometric visual forms where complex mathematical concepts can be manifested in tangible and aesthetic representations,” she explained.
According to her, research in algebraic graphs, including Cayley graphs and their variations, opens opportunities for further exploration to uncover patterns, intrinsic properties, and relationships within algebraic structures.
The professor said this enriches theory and supports mathematics-based technological innovations.
Professor Susanti’s inauguration has received numerous congratulations, including from colleagues and students she had mentored since joining FMIPA UGM in 2002.
One such congratulation came from Professor Joerg Koppitz, who served as Professor Susanti’s doctoral advisor during her studies at the Doctoral Program in Mathematics at the University of Potsdam, Germany.
“Congratulations, you are now a professor. I know you will wholeheartedly fight for your students and university. I wish you all the best for the future,” said Professor Koppitz.
The chairperson of the UGM Professors Board, Professor M. Baiquni, stated that Professor Susanti’s appointment officially made her one of the 525 active professors at UGM and one of the 53 active professors at FMIPA UGM.
Author: Lazuardi
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Donnie