Topic: The Value of Math

Speaker: Zhang Gongqing, Academician

Date: Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Time: 4:30-5:45pm

Venue: Governing Board Meeting Room, Dao Yuan Building

Language: Chinese

Abstract：

The profound knowledge of mathematics is the treasure of human wisdom, which awaits our exploration and application. From the historical perspective, the speaker will introduce the concept of mathematics, the important roles of "mathematical structure" and "mathematical modeling". By elaborating on what role mathematics has played in the development of science and human thought, the speaker will shed light on the culture and methods of mathematics.

Speaker Profile：

Prof. Zhang Gongqing, a distinguished mathematician, is an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Third World Academy of Sciences (currently Academy of Sciences for the Developing World). He was the former Director of the Mathematical Research Institute and the Key Laboratory of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Peking University, as well as Chairman of the Chinese Mathematical Society.

After graduation, Prof. Zhang Gongqing has been a faculty member of the Peking University. He has made great contributions in the fields of differential geometry, symplectic geometry and mathematical physics. He has been a visiting scholar at various renowned universities and institutes in Europe and America. Prof. Zhang was awarded the 2nd Award of National Natural Science Award in 1987, Third World Academy of Science Award in Mathematics in 1993, and Loo-Keng Hua Mathematics Award in 2009.