On the afternoon of February 15, the opening ceremony of the 2025 preparatory class for the "YAU Mathematical Sciences Leaders Program" (hereinafter referred to as the Program) was held in Tsinghua University. The ceremony marked the fifth year of the program.
The attendants and speakers of the ceremony included: Professor Shing-Tung Yau, Dean of Qiuzhen College,Tsinghua University; Professor Poon Wai-yin, vice president and acting provost of the Chinese University of Hong Kong; Professor Vladimir Markovic, Professor at the Yau Mathematical Sciences Center at Tsinghua University and Fellow of the Royal Society; and Professor Nicolai Reshetikhin, Professor at the Yau Mathematical Sciences Center at Tsinghua University and Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. The ceremony was hosted by Wang Xiaofang, Associate Dean of Qiuzhen College.
Scene of the Ceremony
Professor Poon Wai-yin, in her speech, expressed her gratitude to Mr. Shing-Tung Yau and Qiuzhen College for their support and assistance, and congratulated the new students of the preparatory class. From her perspective, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Qiuzhen College have established close collaborative ties in cultivating mathematical talent, and they are committed to working together to promote the development of mathematics. She encouraged students to cherish the precious opportunity of learning and strive to become leaders in the field of mathematics, thereby contributing to the development of mathematical sciences of the nation.
Speech delivered by Professor Poon Wai-yin
Professor Vladimir Markovic and Professor Nicolai Reshetikhin each delivered a speech. In the opinion of Markovic, mathematics is not only a choice of career but also a way of life. He encouraged students to pursue excellence in mathematics with passion, and to achieve personal value and make greater contributions to the society through relentless efforts and consistent exploration. From the perspective of Reshetikhin, Qiuzhen College provides a unique opportunity for students to learn cutting-edge mathematical knowledge, and he encouraged students to fully utilize these resources to explore the mysteries of mathematics.
Speeches delivered by Professor Vladimir Markovic (top) and Professor Nicolai Reshetikhin (bottom)
Lin Jianfeng, Assistant Dean of Teaching at Qiuzhen College, introduced the model and features of talent cultivation of the college in detail. In his eyes, Qiuzhen College adheres to an internationalized concept of talent cultivation, with top-notch faculty and abundant academic resources. Through small-class teaching, tiered teaching, and academic mentorship, the college aims to ensure personalized training for every student. In addition, the college attaches great importance to cultivating the comprehensive quality of students and facilitating the holistic development of students. Lin Yong, Associate Dean of Qiuzhen College, introduced the requirements on the training, assessment, and management of the preparatory stage. In addition, he emphasized the importance of preparatory assessments and expressed his wishes for students to achieve success in their assessments.
Speeches delivered by Lin Jianfeng Lin (top) and Lin Yong (bottom)
Zhang Wusheng, father of Fuyao, student of the 2024 Mathematics Leadership Program, delivered a speech on behalf of students' parents. He encouraged parents to provide proactive support for their children’s studies and life at Qiuzhen College, and advised new students to focus on remaining "safe, dedicated, and passionate", striving for remarkable achievements in their academic journey. On behalf of students, Shi Tianqi from the 2024 cohort shared his learning experience and insights at Qiuzhen College, and he encouraged new students to explore the profound universe of mathematics and to enjoy the colorful and intriguing aspects of university life. On behalf of youth mentors, representative from the Yiyou Scholars, Chi Wenhao introduced the vision and mission of the team of youth mentors. From his perspective, Qiuzhen College not only attaches importance to cultivating academic abilities, but also hopes to nurture independent thinkers with a global perspective. The preparatory stage is deemed as a crucial period for students from high school into university life, and it is also a vital time to explore themselves and discover their interests. On behalf of the team of youth mentors, he assured full support for students in both academic and personal aspects.
Speeches delivered by Zhang Wusheng, Shi Tianqi, and Chi Wenhao (from top to bottom)
Mr. Shing-Tung Yau made a speech to conclude the ceremony. From his perspective, one of the goals on top of his agenda is to facilitate the development of mathematics in China to the world-leading level, and this is also a sincere wish of his teacher Shiing-Shen Chern. Mr. Yau reviewed the development of the Mathematical Sciences Leaders Program and elaborated on the connotations of the "Leadership Class", highlighting the mission and vision of Qiuzhen College. He shared his experience in both learning and research, stressing that achieving excellence requires relentless efforts beyond the ordinary, staying centered around one's goals, and committing oneself to research for a lifetime. Furthermore, he encouraged students to cherish the opportunity to study at Qiuzhen College, set high standards for themselves, and strive to become future leaders in the field of mathematics.
Speech delivered by Shing-Tung Yau
Group Photo of Faculty and Students
After the ceremony, Mr. Shing-Tung Yau held an exchange meeting with parents along with vice deans of the college, and Professor Chen Zhijie, Associate Dean of Qiuzhen College, hosted a psychological workshop with parents, while each class held their first class meeting.
Text | Peng Wei
Editors | Guo Youran, Liao Zixin
Reviewed by | Wang Xiaofang, Xie Lufang
