Semarang – The Mathematics Department of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), successfully held a Guest Lecture entitled “The Vital Role of Mathematical Modelling, Numeracy in Informed, Critical and Responsible Citizenship” on Thursday (12/11/2026). The event, which took place from 09.00 to 13.00 Western Indonesian Time (WIB), was held in a hybrid format—face-to-face on the 3rd Floor of the Dean’s Building D12 and online via Zoom Meeting.
This guest lecture featured Prof. Vince Geiger from the Australian Catholic University (ACU) as the speaker. He is also recognized as the President of the International Community of Teachers of Mathematical Modelling and Applications (ICTMA), an international community focusing on the development of mathematical modelling and its applications in education.
The participants, both attending in person and joining online, engaged in the activity enthusiastically. In his presentation, Prof. Vince Geiger emphasized that mathematical modelling and numeracy are not solely about calculation skills, but are also essential provisions for citizens to make informed decisions, think critically about received information, and act responsibly amidst an increasingly complex social life.
According to him, strong numeracy skills help society interpret data, assess the validity of information, and understand real-world issues surrounding them. Mathematics education that connects concepts with everyday life contexts is considered capable of training students to become information-literate individuals who are sensitive to environmental issues.
The discussion session was highly interactive. Participants utilized this opportunity to ask questions regarding strategies for integrating mathematical modelling into learning, as well as the challenges of developing numeracy across various educational levels.
This activity aligns with UNNES’s commitment to expanding the global perspective of its academic community through collaborations with international scholars. Furthermore, this activity supports the spirit of UNNES as a conservation campus that prioritizes quality, impactful, and sustainable education.
Through this guest lecture, it is hoped that students, lecturers, and other participants will gain new perspectives on the importance of mathematical modelling and numeracy in education, and be encouraged to apply them in their teaching and research endeavors.
