The Indian Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics was established on the occasion of a symposium on “Differential Equations and Industrial Applications” during the last week of September, 1990 at the department of Mathematics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India. Professor Abul Hasan Siddiqi was the Chairman and Director of the symposium. Professors Helmut Neunzert, Martin Brokate and Rene Lozi were invited speakers. More than 50 delegates including Professors H.P. Dixit, P. Achutan, S. Kesavan, Adimurty, (Mrs.) Ravinderan, M.U.Siddiqui, V.P. Saxena, R. Lanka, G.C. Sharma and R.C. Gupta participated.

After long deliberations, it was decided to establish the Indian Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics. Professor A.H. Siddiqi was authorised to draft the constitution in consultation with the founder members, to enrol members and to get the society registered. The annual conference of the Indian Mathematical Society was held in Aligarh during the last week of December 1991. He was the local secretary. On this occasion, a meeting of all enrolled members was convened and the constitution of the society was approved. The society organized its first symposium during this conference. Professor Tery Rockafellar, U.S.A., and Professor Alain Bensoussan, President INRIA. France, were the guests of honour on this occasion. Professor J.N. Kapur was elected unanimously President and Professor Siddiqi was elected secretary and they were authorised to nominate office-bearers and council members. On this occasion, it was also decided that the society will organize an International Workshop of Industrial Mathematics in collaboration with the Aligarh Muslim University Academic Staff College and Hamdard University, Delhi from 9-15 December, 1992. Although there were a lot of turmoils prior to this conference, especially in Northern India, the organizers still managed the workshop. 60 university and college teachers from different parts of the country participated in this activity and interacted with speakers from Australia, Japan and U.S.A. The workshop was inaugurated by the then cabinet Minister of Water Management, government of India Mr. V.C. Shulda.