The Algebra Course Seminar and the “101 Program” Algebra Textbook Promotion Conference hosted by Nankai University was held at Shiing-shen Building on Balitai Campus on May 3. Experts and scholars in mathematics and representatives of Higher Education Press in China participated and discussed the concept of compiling algebra textbooks, practical outcomes and broader application and promotion. Yang Qingshan, Secretary of the CPC Nankai University Committee, and Tian Gang, head of the Mathematics Group of the “101 Program” and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. 

In his speech, Yang Qingshan pointed out that the “101 Program” is an important project launched by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to promote systematic reform in undergraduate education and teaching, and that algebra, a core branch of mathematics, plays a vital role in meeting the challenges in scientific and technological revolution and innovative talents cultivation. By leveraging disciplinary advantages, Nankai University is deeply involved in the planning and establishment of seven disciplines under the program, including mathematics and physics. Nankai University, said Yang Qingshan, would continue to fully support for the “101 Program”. Guided by the national strategic needs, the university will deepen the comprehensive reform of education, step up efforts to develop fundamental disciplines, strengthen the cultivation of top-notch innovative talents, and contribute more substantially to the high-quality development of China’s higher education.

Tian Gang spoke highly of the achievements of the “101 Program” group. He emphasized the importance of teaching materials and courses in the cultivation of top-notch innovative talents in the new era, and said that mathematics plays an increasingly prominent role in the era of artificial intelligence and big data, therefore, cultivating a new generation of faculty who can adapt to the new era is of vital importance to the discipline development. The compilation and use of the “101 Program” textbooks will significantly enhance the level of mathematics education in China. It is hoped that universities across the country will actively trial the new teaching materials, and accordingly put forward suggestions based on teaching practice, and contribute to the continuous improvement of teaching materials.

Professor Liu Bin, Secretary-General of the Mathematics Group of the “101 Program”, said in his speech that the MOE officially launched the “101 Program” at Peking University on April 19, 2023, with the aim of compiling core textbooks, building first-class curriculum and practice platforms, and cultivating high-quality teaching faculty. Remarkable results have been achieved in the development of mathematics textbooks.

Lan Yingying, Deputy Director of the Social and Science Division of Higher Education Press, stated that the “101 Program” represents a large-scale teaching reform initiative to promote the practice of first-class curriculum and textbooks and the building of faculty teams. Algebra textbooks series, in particular,  aligns with the evolving needs of current teaching and research  and constitutes an important measure in the current wave of teaching reform. Moreover, Higher Education Press cooperates with leading technology companies to develop a variety of agents for the basic disciplines under the “101 Program”, promoting AI-enabled teaching innovation and higher education reform. Going forward, Higher Education Press will continue to empower the curriculum and teaching reform, provide support for independent cultivation of top-notch innovative mathematics talents in China, and contribute to the cultivation of mathematics talents and discipline construction.

Professor Bai Chengming, Vice President of Nankai University, and the lead for algebra under the “101 Program”, introduced the main framework and current progress of the five algebra textbooks. He noted that the textbooks are characterized by three main features: developing symmetry-centered algebra theory, adopting a holistic view of across different learning stages, and incorporating more examples at the elementary course level to reduce abstraction. The textbooks have already been piolted at several universities, including Zhejiang University, and have received postive feedback

Following the opening ceremony, several authors of the “101 Program” algebra textbooks, including Professor Li Fang from Zhejiang University, Professor Feng Rongquan from Peking University, Professor Deng Shaoqiang from Nankai University, as well as Liu Dongwen from Zhejiang University, Chang Liang and Xu Binbin from Nankai University reported on the textbook writing process, core concepts and teaching practices. Professor Lin Ya’nan from Xiamen University shared his reflections and commented that the textbooks embodied the authors’ teaching experience, international perspective, discipline understanding and overall coordination mechanism. Professor Wang Qingwen from Shanghai University introduced the philosophy of educational mathematics and said that the algebra textbooks of the “101 Program” are the latest achievements of educational mathematics research, and are worthy recommendations for faculty, students and professional scholars.

At the event, the participants had in-depth discussions and made constructive suggestions on the structure of teaching materials, terminology norms, cultural inheritance and supporting resources.

It is reported that this seminar is intended to act as a platform for communication among mathematics educators from universities across the country, and to promote the application and perfection of the “101 Program” algebra textbooks. As a university with long-standing strengths in algebra, Nankai University has taken the lead in completing the compilation of five algebra textbooks, which provide key support for the cultivation of mathematical talents.

（Edited and translated by Nankai News Team.)