Prof. Tony Chan, the President of Hong Kong University of Science & Technology gave a lecture at UIC entitled "What's Math got to do with it?" on February 25. Prof. Chan's inspirational talk marked a perfect conclusion to the Distinguished Lecture Series in celebration of the 5th Anniversary of UIC. UIC President Prof. Ng Chingfai gave welcoming remarks and introduced Prof. Chan as one of the most renowned mathematical scientists in the world.
Prof. Tony Chan giving the lecture
Prof. Tony Chan is a distinguished scholar in Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering and a former Assistant Director of the US National Science Foundation (NSF) in charge of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate. He started the lecture by talking about the PR aspect of math. He said that math had an image problem, and mathematicians were often referred to as "science freaks". Actually, math has a lot to do with everyday life and everyone can be quite comfortable at the practice of math. He encouraged our students to study mathematics with an open mind.
Prof. Chan stated that mathematics provides the theoretical basics for many advanced technologies, most of which have brought great convenience to our life: for instance, online search engines, GPS, digital cameras, MP3, cell phones and movies like Titanic, Perfect Storm and Terminator3. Math is a silent contributor to modern life which we do not always notice.
Prof. Chan explained why mathematics is so crucial and basic. He said the language of mathematics demands precision. It meets the demand for accurate calculation in technological development. In addition, mathematics allows precise analysis and prediction of quantitative ideas, so that it can expose the structure and pattern of nature.
Prof. Edmund Kwok, Executive Vice President of UIC, gave the concluding remarks. He thanked Prof. Chan for the wonderful lecture, and reminded the students to be humble and open-minded in the sea of immense knowledge and wisdom which is an integral part of nature.
Many students found the lecture interesting and enlightening. Harry Robin, an exchange student from the U.S. said he enjoyed the lecture, for his field of accounting also had an image problem. Our students and Prof. Chan had an interactive communication during the tea reception after the lecture.
Reporter: Lu Yao
Photo: Echo Li
Editor: Richard Xu
MPRO News
