Yogyakarta, March 22, 2024 – The Center for Cryptography and Cyber Security Studies, as part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FMIPA UGM), held a reading group activity focusing on the fundamentals of coding theory. This activity was initiated as a platform for in-depth learning and discussion on coding theory and its applications in communication and cyber security. The speakers for the first two sessions, Dewi Setyaningsih, a graduate student of Mathematics at FMIPA UGM, led discussions focusing on theoretical and practical approaches in coding theory. The activity took place on Friday, March 15 and 22, 2024.
The first sessions of the reading group aimed to introduce members to the basic concepts of coding theory, including error detection, correction, and decoding processes. Dewi emphasized the importance of understanding communication channels to help participants understand how data is transmitted and how damaged messages can be repaired using coding techniques. “This part is crucial to equip members who are new to coding in communication systems,” explained Dewi.
The discussion continued to delve into field extensions, which form the basis for designing various codes. Dewi explained the structure of field extensions and polynomial rings, and described how these concepts are applied in coding theory. “This serves as a bridge between abstract algebra and practical coding techniques, highlighting the depth of mathematics in coding theory,” she added.
One of the key focuses of the discussion was the exploration of linear codes, where participants were invited to understand the construction and decoding of these codes more deeply. This included discussions on generator matrices, parity check matrices, and the concept of Hamming distance. Additionally, the discussion also covered cyclic codes, with Dewi presenting definitions, properties, and the importance of these codes in coding theory. The reading group activity received positive responses from participants, who were students, academics, and practitioners in the field of cryptography and cyber security.
The Center for Cryptography and Cyber Security Studies at FMIPA UGM (C3R FMIPA UGM) plans to continue organizing similar activities, with topics related to cryptography and cyber security, to enrich the knowledge and skills of its members in this field. We invite all students, academics, and professionals interested in cryptography to participate and contribute to in-depth discussions on current cryptography topics. This activity aims to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 9 related to Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as well as number 11 focusing on Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Keywords: Cryptography, C3R FMIPA UGM
Author: Uha Isnaini
Editor: Sania Rizka Ramadhani
Photographer : Uha Isnaini