Topic: Mathematical Journey in Pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty

Speaker: Prof. Ngaiming Mok

Date: Friday, May 24, 2024

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Venue: Room 202, Teaching Complex C

Language: English

Abstract:

In this lecture, Ngaiming Mok will recount his educational journey from primary to secondary school, highlighting how a strong foundation in Chinese culture, encouragement from his parents, and guidance from remarkable teachers nurtured his interest in mathematics. Driven by a determination to become a world-renowned mathematician, Mok pursued mathematics within its historical and cultural context, identifying key milestones to understand the discipline's evolution and aiming to make significant contributions to its research. From Euclid to Gauss, Riemann to Poincaré, he delved deeply into geometry, complex numbers, and number theory, while also seeking inspiration from diverse scholarly perspectives. His experiences traveling across numerous countries and mathematical strongholds have enriched his understanding, ultimately leading him back to his native land to advance China's progress in mathematics.

Speaker Profile:

Ngaiming Mok is a distinguished mathematician specializing in several complex variables, complex differential geometry, and algebraic geometry. He graduated from St. Paul's Co-educational College in 1975 and obtained his M.A. in Mathematics from Yale University in 1978. Mok completed his Ph.D. at Stanford University in 1980.  Currently, Mok holds the position of Edmund and Peggy Tse Professor in Mathematics at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), where he is also the Chair Professor of the Department of Mathematics and the Director of the Institute of Mathematical Research. In 2015, he was elected as a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and was awarded the seventh “Future Science Award” in 2022.