IMPA 50 Anos

DEPOIMENTOPHILLIP A. GRIFFITHSIt is difficult to overemphasize the importance of IMPA. In the mathematics world, it is the centralinstitution in the study of dynamical systems, one of the most important areas in contemporary mathematics.IMPA’s interests are by no means limited to dynamical systems. The mathematical activities there coverthe entire spectrum of modern mathematics, ranging from pure to applied, covering analysis, algebra,geometry, probability and including a significant component in mathematics education and olympiadsin partnership with the Brazilian Mathematical Society.In the larger scientific community, it provides an extremely valuable model for how science and theuses of sciences can be conducted at a world-class level, with great impact both internationally and inthe home country and region.IMPA is one of the four founding members of the Science Institutes Group (SIG), a NGO founded in 1999to provide strategic direction, quality monitoring, and scientific guidance for the Millennium ScienceInitiative (MSI) and Jacob Palis is a distinguished member of SIG’s Board. The goal of the MSI is tocreate and nurture world-class science and scientific talent in the developing world. Members of SIGare exemplars of the best science institutes in the developing world. They represent the level of scientificleadership and excellence to which the scientists and institutes involved in the MSI aspire.To use a methaphor from the financial world, “one should go long on IMPA”, i.e., it has an extremelybright future. In my opinion, its important role in both the international and the scientific communityin the developing world will only continue to increase.298