Esteemed mathematician Ngo Bao Chau and leaders of the Ministry of Education informed PM of a detailed plan for the country's first advanced mathematics research institute.

PM Dung meets with Prof Chau on November 8 (photo: chinhphu.vn)

Chau is among four mathematicians who won the Fields Medal at the International Congress of Mathematicians 2010, held in India on August 19.

A meeting was held between the leaders of the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) and the prime minister on November 8. Professor Chau is determined to work with the MoET to build the institute as quickly as possible and also to help reform and improve the teaching of mathematics in Vietnam.

Expressing his thanks at the meeting, Chau said, “I will try my best to devote my energy to the development of mathematics in Vietnam.”

The mathematician added that improving the mathematics education in Vietnam would require more government investments.

Before meeting with Prime Minister Dung, Chau worked with Minister of Education and Training, Pham Vu Luan, to discuss the submission of a draft regulation on organisation and operation of the advanced math institute for the PM’s approval.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Tran Quang Quy said, “In November, MoET will send the resolution to the prime minister. The institute is scheduled to be opened this month. Regarding organisation, the institute will have a directorate which includes scientific and managing directors. Ngo Bao Chau vowed to join the managing board and will act as the scientific director.”

At a meeting to welcome Professor Chau on August 29, PM Dung said that, “The Vietnamese government highly appreciates Chau’s efforts. Despite teaching abroad, Chau still spends much of his time teaching in Vietnam, working as a bridge for local young mathematicians and researchers with foreign mathematicians. The government will create the most favourable conditions for Ngo Bao Chau to realise his ambitions and further contributions to the nation.”

On August 17, 2010, PM Dung approved a “National mathematics development programme” for the 2010-2011 period with a total investment of VND651 billion (USD32.55 million).

Under the programme, by 2020, Vietnam will have a sufficient contingent of qualified mathematics lecturers at universities and colleges and over 70% of them will have Doctorates. Math institutes and some major math faculties are expected to become regional training and research centres as well.

Source: Dtinews