Philosophical doctor, docent George Malaty died in Joensuu on January 21, 2022. He was 77 years old, born on September 29, 1944 in El-Bahira, Egypt, in the Nile Delta.
Malaty graduated from Ein-Shams University in Cairo as a mathematics teacher. He worked at Tanta University in Egypt and completed his postgraduate studies in Moscow. This was followed by a dissertation in 1970, marriage to Irma Koponen, a scholarship holder, teaching in Tripoli, Libya, and moving with her family to Finland in 1984.
Malaty worked at the University of Joensuu / Eastern Finland as a lecturer and docent in mathematics didactics 1986–2012. The Finnish Summer Universities Association elected him teacher of the year in 1994.
Malaty’s academic work in mathematics education produced dozens of research articles published in different languages, congress presentations, and hundreds of classroom teachers trained at the University of Joensuu. To them he lit a flame of the beauty and significance of mathematics. The Ministry of Education granted the University of Joensuu the status of a unit of excellence in the teaching of mathematics and physics.
Malaty also founded inspiring children’s math clubs, which some even remember as adults. He considered the work to be his most important publication Introduction to the structure of mathematics.
Abroad, Malaty was initially invited to give a lecture on the teaching of geometry. With the success of Pisa in Finland, he became interested in the teaching of mathematics and teacher training here, which he knew well. He summed up the starting points for successful learning outcomes without forgetting the challenges.
Malaty wanted to increase knowledge of teaching in different countries through, among other things, teacher and researcher visits. By comparing textbooks and teaching methods, he was able to critically examine teaching. From there, projects were launched to develop the teaching of mathematics.
Malaty particularly appreciated the method of teaching mathematics in Varga, Hungary. He had the ability to bring together experts from different countries. The collaboration with David Burghes and the Center for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching at the University of Plymouth, England, continued for a long time.
As a teacher and as a colleague Malaty was sunny and as a captivating person nurtured the whole community into cultural diversity. Mathematics transcends language boundaries, but his ability to communicate and his scientific language was diverse. He also enjoyed returning home from travel to Joensuu.
George’s vocal performances, accompanied by a skillful finger click, are not forgotten. George’s close circle included a spouse, two children and two grandchildren.
Kari Sormunen
Leo Pahkin
Pekka Rautamaa
The authors are colleagues and friends of George Malaty.
#Memoir #George #Malaty
