Djebbar Ahmed

DJEBBAR Ahmed

Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and History of Science University of Science and Technology of Lille, France

Origins & Training

Ahmed Djebbar is an Algerian mathematician and historian of science, born on August 2, 1941, in Aïn Defla, Algeria. He obtained his bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Algiers in 1965, followed by a doctorate in mathematics from Paris-Sud University in 1972, specializing in functional analysis. In 1990, he completed a second doctorate in the history of mathematics at the University of Nantes, focusing on medieval Maghrebian mathematicians.

Scientific Career

His academic career began as an assistant professor at Paris-Sud University until 1987. He then became a professor at the University of Science and Technology of Lille, where he is currently Professor Emeritus. In parallel, he is a research associate at the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research) in the Paul-Painlevé Laboratory.

His research focuses on mathematics and sciences in the Muslim West. He has authored more than 150 scientific articles and 15 books, including the famous "A History of Arab Science," "Arab Algebra: Genesis of an Art," and "The Golden Age of Arab Sciences." He has also supervised 13 master's degrees, 12 doctorates, and 4 habilitations.

Distinctions & Recognitions

Among his major distinctions:

• Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Roskilde, Denmark (2006)
• Algerian Scientist Award (2014)
• David Eugene Smith Award from Columbia University, New York (2016)
• Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences Award (2021)

He is a member of prestigious institutions:

• International Commission for the History of Mathematics (since 1992)
• International Academy of the History of Science (since 2005)
• Secretary of the International Commission for the History of Mathematics of the African Mathematical Union (1987-2013)

Impact & Influence

His impact extends beyond the academic world. From July 1992 to April 1994, he held the position of Minister of National Education in Algeria, making significant contributions to the reform of the Algerian education system. As scientific commissioner of the exhibition "The Golden Age of Arab Sciences" at the Arab World Institute (2005), he worked to disseminate knowledge about the history of Arab sciences.

To Learn More

• https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Djebbar

• Main publications: "A History of Arab Science," "Arab Algebra: Genesis of an Art," "The Golden Age of Arab Sciences"
• Research areas: History of Arab mathematics, Sciences in the Muslim West, Functional analysis
• Contributions to education: Reform of the Algerian education system, Promotion of the history of sciences in teaching