The 2024 edition of the International Conference and Advanced Workshop on Modelling and Simulation of Complex Systems (ICAWMSCS) was held between Monday 27^th to Friday 31^st May 2024 at the AFRIGIST Conference Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University Campus, Ile–Ife, Nigeria. The event included a conference which was held Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th, and the workshop held from Wednesday 29th to Friday 31st. The conference was convened by Professor Clement Onime (ICTP, Trieste, Italy) while Dr. Ikenna Ireka (Germany) convened the Workshop sessions; both of whom are alumni of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria.

The event was planned as a hybrid event and Attendees at the Conference and Advanced Workshop included African scientists from physical science Departments (Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics) and also partners from Computer Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and staff members of the AFRIGIST. Shortly after the opening ceremony, the event continued with plenary sessions which provided the opportunity for conference participants to present their latest research results as well as future works. A series of invited talks were also presented. A total of 91 people including paid participants, resource persons, and plenary speakers were in attendance during the first two days, while 61 people participated in the last three days.

The event brought together scientists from various fields including industrial experts, academic researchers, and practitioners in complex systems, such as fluid dynamics, environmental and computational chemistry, physics, biology, and epidemiology, among others, to present their latest results, insights, and advances. The workshop also featured seasoned scientists and industrial experts providing practical insights into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related topics. During the Opening ceremony on Monday 27^th May 2024, the 250-capacity conference hall was fully filled with many eminent personalities including the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. A. S. Bamire, the DVC, Administration, Prof. O. M. A. Daramola, the Institution Bursar, Mrs O. I. Abogan, the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. O. A. Adesina, the Head of the Department of Mathematics, Prof. M. O. Olatinwo, the Executive Directors, Prof. Lazarus Ojigi (AFRIGIST), Prof. Babatunde Rabiu (ARCSSTE-E), Prof. Promise Mebine (NMC, Abuja), other Professors and Directors of institutes. The Resource persons, in attendance, were Professor Clement Onime, Dr. Gamez Jose Martinez (Germany), and Dr. Ikenna Ireka, who were also in attendance. Professor Joseph Niemela (Senior Scientist – Emeritus, ICTP Italy) though not at the opening ceremony, joined the resource persons the next day. Also in attendance were some international students from AFRIGIST as well as numerous online participants both from Nigeria and South Africa. The chairperson, Prof. (Mrs) Adenike Kuku, Vice Chancellor of Kings University, Ode-Omu, Nigeria, declared the conference open.

In her address, Prof. (Mrs.) Adenike Kuku encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions during the event by asking questions and sharing their own experiences or insights with others. She pointed out the importance of such conferences to learning, exploration of knowledge, collaboration, and networking. Thereby providing the opportunity to create lasting connections and friendships among researchers and professionals in a global sense.

The conference concluded with presentation of awards for the best well-articulated scientific presentations each at the postgraduate level (M.Sc. and Ph.D. students); certificates and plaques were awarded after rigorous assessment by eminent panelists as shown in the table below:

Position	Category	Name	Institution
First	M.Sc.	Mr. Emmanuel Egwu	Computer Science & Engng, OAU
Second	M.Sc.	Mr.Abdulazeez Babalola	Mechanical Engng, OAU
First	Ph.D.	Mr. Matthew A. Ogunniran	Mathematics, UNILORIN
Second	Ph.D.	Mr.Timileyin Okoya	SsWECH
Third	Ph.D.	Kafilat Adebimpe Salaudeen	Mathematics, Emma Alay Univ Edu, Oyo

TABLE showing Recipients of the Award of Excellence for outstanding scientific presentations at the conference, grouped by category.

The workshop adopted evidence-based learning strategies in a classroom environment. What was extraordinary was the collaboration among the five resource persons handling the workshop lectures, i.e. Prof. Joseph Niemela (Senior Scientist – Emeritus), Prof. Clement Onime, Dr. Jose Gamez Martinez, Dr. Ikenna Ireka and Dr. Dariusz Niedziela, who recorded his expositions.

The workshop provided participants the opportunity to connect with international scholars on mathematical and engineering-based research spanning modeling and simulation of Complex fluids, Computational Chemistry, Turbulence theory and Simulation, Scientific computing, and parallel computing. It also availed them the chance to experience practical insights and the applicability of STEM in addressing real-life problems. This development resulted in the initiative to start an online expository seminar on such topics and the first in the series is tentatively scheduled for August 2024.

These events provided participants with valuable information on the concepts of modeling and simulation of complex physical systems which is ubiquitous in nature. Furthermore, the deep dive on each of the presented topics aimed to inspire young researchers, early career professionals, or experts to diversify their expertise in practical STEM-related research to be able to address emerging complex environmental challenges. In addition, the International Conference and Advanced Workshop on Complex Systems successfully brought together a diverse group of scientists, professionals, and researchers, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and knowledge. Key outcomes includes:

• Improved comprehension of intricate concepts in diverse fields.
• Elucidation of methods to develop new computational tools.
• Identification of future research directions and practical approaches to resolving problems from complex systems.

The events underscored the significance of interdisciplinary research and the continuous need for innovation in tackling challenges in complex systems. Participants parted with new insights, skills, and a strong sense of community, paving the way for future advancements in their respective fields.

Standing eighth and nineth from the right: The Vice-Chancellor OAU, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire and the Vice-Chancellor, Kings University, Ode-Omu, Prof. (Mrs.) Adenike Kuku; Chair Person at the Conference Opening ceremony.

The Executive Director of AFRIGIST, Professor Lazarus M. Ojigi (centre) with conference attendees from Rivers State University, Port Harcourt and beyond to share presentations about their work.

OAU Mathematics professor Samuel S. Okoya (center) with conference participants from University of Lagos, Lagos and beyond to share presentations about their work.

Professor Joseph Niemela lectures to the participants at the Conference Hall.

Some resource persons at the workshop hall from RHS: Professor Joseph Niemela (Senior Scientist – Emeritus ), Dr. Ikenna Ireka, Professor Samuel S. Okoya, Professor Clement Onime, Dr. Jose Gamez Martinez.

Some female attendees with resource persons from RHS: Professor Joseph Niemela (Senior Scientist – Emeritus ), Dr. Jose Gamez Martinez and Professor Samuel S. Okoya

Group photograph during the workshop session.

Prof. Samuel S. Okoya and the wife, OAU Environmental Chemistry professor, Aderonke A. Okoya were always working hard to make the international conference and advanced workshop a success. Here they are pictured with some of the resource persons in top Informal Nigerian attire at the closing ceremony of the workshop.