Commemoration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of the Mathematics Discipline in Nankai University and Celebration of the 130th Birthday of Mr. Jiang Lifu

2020-11-11


In the morning of November 8th, the Commemoration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of the Mathematics Discipline in Nankai University and the Celebration of the 130th birthday of Mr. Jiang Lifu, and Jiang Lifu Mathematical Education Seminar were held in the Shiing-Shen Chern Building of Balitai Campus.

Attendees of this event included Chancellor of Nankai University Yang Qingshan, the eldest son of Jiang Lifu and Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences Jiang Boju, the former President of Nankai University Hou Zixin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and member of Chern Institute of Mathematics of Nankai University Professor Long Yiming, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Director of Mathematics and System Science Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences Xi Nanhua, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor from Capital Normal University Fang Fuquan, and more than 150 retired teachers, alumni and representatives of teachers and students from the School of Mathematical Sciences. The commemoration was hosted by Bai Chengming, the Director of the Chern Institute of Mathematics of Nankai University and over 3800 teachers and students and alumni of Nankai University followed the online live stream.



On behalf of Nankai University, Yang extended his congratulations to the centennial anniversary of the founding of the Mathematics Discipline in Nankai University and paid his tribute to Mr. Jiang Lifu, its founder,  who was also a renowned mathematician. He said that over the past ten decades, adhering to the spirit motto of Dedication to public interests, acquisition of all-round capability, and aspiration for progress with each passing day and carrying forward the tradition of patriotism and struggle, mathematics in Nankai University has cultivated numerous talents represented by famous mathematicians such as Shiing-Shen Chern, Jiang Zehan, Liu Jinnian, Shen Youcheng, Wu Daren, Sun Benwang etc.



On the site, Yang Qingshan, Jiang Boju, Hou Zixin and Su Jing, the Secretary of the Party Committee of School of Mathematical Sciences of Nankai University, unveiled for the documentary Jiang Lifu.The CD version was given to Jiang Boju as a present by Yang Qingshan.



Tian Gang, Director of Chinese Mathematical Society, offered his “video-congratulations” to the event .



Xi Nanhua, Director of Mathematics and System Science Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences, presented his congratulations to the commemoration.



Professor Chen Dayue, Dean of School of Mathematical Sciences of Peking University, offered his congratulations to the ceremony.



Professor Chen Meng, Dean of the School of Mathematical Sciences of Fudan University, delivered a congratulation speech to this commemorative activity.



Professor Tang Huazhong, Vice Chairman of the China Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, delivered an on-site speech.



Professor Bai Chengming, Director of Chern Institute of Mathematics of Nankai University, hosted this memorial.



Wang Zhaojun, Executive Dean of the School of Statistics and Data Science of Nankai University, introduced the life of Mr. Jiang.



Academician Jiang Boju said  This year marks the 130th anniversary of my father's birthday. He was indifferent to fame and fortune, and devoted all his life to mathematical education and studies, which made him respected by mathematicians. I am happy to know the ‘Jiang Lifu Academic Lecture’ has been held in Nankai University for 11 years, as well as the series of commemorative activities which were held this year. On behalf of Jiang’s descendants, I would like to thank Mathematics Disciple in Nankai University for its commemoration of my father. Entering the 21st century, China has become great in mathematics, and on the road towards mathematical power, the Mathematics Discipline of Nankai University has always walked ahead.”



Professor Hou reviewed the history of Mathematics Discipline in Nankai University.



On the site, representatives of students offered flowers to the invited former teachers and leaders of this school.




Academician Long Yiming delivered a speech on behalf of previous leaders of Mathematics Discipline.



Academician Fang Fuquan made a speech representing alumni of Mathematics Discipline.



Professor Wang Changping, President of Fujian Normal University and an alumnus of Nankai University, made an on-site address.




Zhang Wenzhong, Founder of Wumart Group and an alumnus of Nankai University, offered a video address.




Researcher Fan Jianping, Director of Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology of Chinese Academy of Sciences and an alumnus of Nankai University, addressed via video.



Wei Yawei, teacher of the School of Mathematical Sciences, and Liu Yanjun, doctoral student of the School of Mathematical Sciences from class of 2018, made speeches on behalf of young teachers and students in school respectively.



Zhou Haibing, representative of donors of Jiang Lifu Scholarship and lifetime member of board of Nankai University, made a video speech.



Representatives of students offered flowers to alumni who have donated for scholarships to support the development of mathematics discipline in this university.




Professor Ding Longyun, Vice Dean of School of Mathematical Sciences of Nankai University, addressed representing the school.

The commemoration came to an end when all the guests, teachers, students and alumni sang together the university song.

(Reported by Junhui Wu, Translated by Yingying Liu, Edited by Davide Francolino and JianjingYun)