Participant Testimonials
As a researcher in the area of approximation algorithms, but a non-expert in parameterized complexity, this workshop was a real eye-opener for me. It allowed me to seriously contemplate for the first time the goals, achievements and open problems people look into in parameterized complexity. On a more technical note, I came out with the impression that approximation algorithms are a very new direction in parameterized complexity. Given its explosion as an algorithmic field for the past two decades, it seems to me that it is also going to be a huge area in parameterized complexity as well, and an area that I and my students would definitely like to explore in our research. Also, I would like to thank the organizers for arranging for some extremely interesting talks in approximation algorithms (not directly parameterized complexity-related), which is my core research interest, and for organizing such a high-level, fruitful, and intellectually stimulating workshop, and for bringing together so many members of the community.
The workshop brought together researchers in two related fields, enabling me not only to learn more about the other area in the talks, but also to make new contacts (and renew old ones) that I wouldn't have had otherwise. Although it is too early to tell, there are several new potential collaborations originating from discussions that took place during the workshop.
David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo
I think this was an excellent workshop. FPT+approximation is still a not-so-well-established area and it was nice to have a group of high-calibre researchers in both areas. With the knowledge I learnt during the workshop, I have started to work on FPT-approximation with one of my graduate students.
