German mathematician Helmunt Neunzert was on Saturday presented with the Zakir Hussain Award for his 'pioneering contribution' to industrial and applied mathematics.

Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh presented the award, instituted by the Aligarh Muslim University in memory of the third President of India to be given to a scientist of international repute.

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Singh said the United Progressive Alliance government will consult the Indian Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics on ways to popularise mathematics among students.

Minister of State M A A Fatmi, who also attended the function, said it is imperative to have new methodology for teaching mathematics to students to make the subject more interesting. It is the responsibility of primary and secondary school teachers to make mathematics interesting, he said.