Mathematics Newsletter

22
Asia Pacific Mathematics Newsletter
After a period of intensive preparation, the infrastructure
of the Institute has been completed. Therefore,
on January 17, 2012, the International Inauguration
Ceremony was held. On this occasion, a forum on “The
role of institutes for advanced study in promoting mathematics
in Vietnam and in the region” was conducted
prior to the ceremony.
Participating at the opening ceremony and the forum
were nine international scientists from eight research
centres: the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques
(IHES, France), the Division of Natural Sciences of
University of Chicago, Research Institute for Mathematical
Sciences (RIMS, Japan), Tata Institute (India),
KIAS, Institute for Mathematical Sciences at NUS (IMS,
Singapore), Institut Penyelidikan Matematik (INSPEM,
Malaysia), Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences
(ASSMS, Pakistan). In particular, three are members of
the International Advisory Board: Professor Bourguigon,
Director of IHES, Professor Fefferman, Dean of the
Division of Natural Sciences of University of Chicago
and Professor Raghunathan from Tata who was the
Chairman of ICM 2010. Springer Publishing House also
sent representatives to this event.
The International Inauguration Ceremony also
welcomed the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister
Professor Nguyễn Thiện Nhân — who is always a
strong supporter of VIASM and the NPDM. Other
senior government officials include: Professor Phạm
Deputy Prime Minister Professor Nguyễn Thiện Nhân at the
International Inauguration Ceremony
Vũ Luận — Minister of Education and Training, Dr
Nguyễn Quân — Minister of Science and Technology,
Professor Đào Trọng Thi — Chairman of the Committee
of Culture, Education, Youth and Children of Vietnam
National Assembly (who is also a mathematician), many
other senior leaders as well as many other politicians and
guests. Nearly 100 mathematicians, mainly from Hanoi,
joined the opening ceremony and the forum.
April 2012, Volume 2 No 2
The international guests shared interesting lessons on
their research institutes and recommendations for the
future operation of the VIASM.
Professor M Kashiwara, a long-term Ex-Director of
RIMS, presented an overview of the activities of RIMS since
its founding in 1963. He especially introduced research
projects, number of visitors and publications sponsored
by RIMS.
Professor M S Raghunathan made an emphasis
on the first days of building the Tata institute. Despite
significant difficulties,
the Tata Institute was
quite successful thanks
to high enthusiasm of
Indian scientists. He
also shared certain key
success factors of the
Tata Institute. M S Raghunathan and A D M Choudary
Professor D Kim explained the fast development of
KIAS — which is considered to be a gift for tomorrow in
South Korea. Since its
foundation 15 years
ago, KIAS always
plays an important
role and made significant
contributions to
promoting mathematics
in South Korea. D Kim and L Chen
He also emphasised the big investment of the South
Korean government in science. As a good example, USD
17.1 million out of a total budget of USD 20.1 million for
KIAS in 2011 came from the government.
The directors L Chen (IMS NUS), K A M Atan
(INSPEM, Malaysia) and A Choudary (ASSMS, Pakistan)
all shared the view that the institutes for advanced
study in mathematics play very important roles in the
development of mathematics in their home countries
and believe that VIASM will also perform a similar
role in Vietnam.
At the Inauguration Ceremony of VIASM, Professor
J P Bourguignon presented an interesting talk on “IHES:
A Few Lessons from an Unusual Adventure”. The idea
of IHES came from the founder Léon Motchane — who
follows the IAS (Princeton) model. A number of eminent
scientists have worked for IHES such as Alexander
Grothendieck, Jean Dieudonné, René Thom, etc. and their
influence on the IHES is substantial and serves as a magnet
to attract scientists to come to IHES. This can be seen as
a good option for the VIASM in the future.
Professor R Fefferman talked about “Some factors that
have influenced the History of Mathematics in the United