Functional Analysis and Operator Theory South Africa

2026 Workshop

In honour of Professor Louis Labuschagne

28 October - 1 November 2026, North-West University, Potchefstroom

Welcome: On 28 October 2026 we hope to welcome you to the fifth Functional Analysis and Operator Theory South Africa workshop (FAOTSA 2026), which will take place on the Potchefstroom campus of North-West University. FAOTSA 2026 is organized in honour of professor Louis Labuschagne, in celebration of his many contributions to functional analysis, and the whole South African mathematical community, with hopefully much more to come. As in previous years, the FAOTSA workshop is aimed at bringing together the South African functional analysis community, along with some international specialists to foster discussion and collaboration, paying special attention to postgraduate students, postdocs and early career academics.

Cost of attending: There will be no registration fee for the workshop. Participants (that do not receive funding) will have to arrange their own travel and accommodation in Potchefstroom.

Registration: To register for FAOTSA 2026, please use the link at the top of the page to go to the registration form, once registration is open.

Important dates to note:

Registration opens: 20 July 2026
Early bird registration deadline (for those that need funding): 4 September 2026
Registration closes: 4 October 2026
Abstract submission opens: 20 July 2026
Abstract submission closes: 4 October 2026

Please use the buttons in the panel above to navigate to the various subpages.

Plenary Speakers

David Blecher (University of Houston, USA)
Marjeta Kramar Fijavž (University in Ljubljana, Slovenia)
Louis Labuschagne (North-West University)
Alicia Roca (Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain)
Bruce Watson (Wits University)

Minicourses:

Marjeta Kramar Fijavž (University in Ljubljana, Slovenia)
Alicia Roca (Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain)

Early Career Academics: During the workshop various activities, involving some of the plenary speakers and local experts, are aimed at early career academics. We strongly encourage postgraduate students and those within five years of obtaining their PhD to attend and make use of this chance to broaden their knowledge and network with local and international specialists.
Support for Early Career Academics: The Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (CoE-MaSS) has provided funding to support the attendance of a limited number of South African based postgraduate students, postdocs and early career academics (<5 years from PhD). Demographics have to be taken into account in the selection of the participants that are supported, and only very few participants that are not South African or have permanent residence in South Africa can be supported. When registering for the workshop, please indicate the categories which apply to you, provide a short motivation and upload a CV (postdocs and early career academics).

With any questions or comments, please contact one of the organizers.

Organizing Committee:

Ronalda Benjamin (Stellenbosch University; ronalda@sun.ac.za)
Christian Budde (University of the Free State; buddecj@ufs.ac.za)
David Kubayi (North-West University; david.kubayi@nwu.ac.za)
Sanne ter Horst (North-West University; sanne.terhorst@nwu.ac.za)
Madelein Thiersen (North-West University; madelein.thiersen@nwu.ac.za)