Professor Ngo Bao Chau: Tet is a bond between family, homeland and country.

(Baonghean.vn) - Professor Ngo Bao Chau is known as the first Vietnamese to win the Fields Medal - the most prestigious award in Mathematics in the world. On the occasion of the New Year, he took the time to talk with Nghe An Newspaper reporters about education development, youth and his passion for Mathematics...

Professor Ngo Bao Chau.

Learning also needs to be cross-disciplinary.

PV: Visiting and working in Nghe An this time, what do you think about the changes in Uncle Ho's homeland?

Professor Ngo Bao Chau:It has been more than 15 years since I returned to Vinh city and found the city has “changed its skin”, is more spacious and beautiful. I am very happy.

Students of Vinh University High School for the Gifted welcome Professor Ngo Bao Chau

Reporter: Nghe An is known as a land of learning. According to Professor, what should Nghe An people continue to do to promote learning?

Professor Ngo Bao Chau:I have two expectations for Nghe An on this trip. Emotionally, I get to meet my teachers from secondary school. They are the ones who held my hand, guided me to Mathematics and they are all students majoring in Mathematics at Vinh University. Secondly, as the Scientific Director of the Institute of Mathematics, we often work with the Mathematics Department of Vinh University and hope to have long-term cooperation in the field of Mathematics, especially in research, cooperation, training...

Professor Ngo Bao Chau lectures at Vinh University on Number Theory.

Nghe An is a land of studiousness. It is known that currently more than 50% of the leading professors in our country are from Nghe An. In Mathematics alone, 70-80% of them are from Nghe An. Spiritual values ​​are always more precious than material values, the learning of Nghe An people is worth sharing, respecting and admiring.

However, for Nghe An to develop further, many factors are needed. For the spirit of learning to develop, the most important thing is cultural exchange, it needs to be exposed to the world... Personally, I think that we need to preserve our cultural identity. And the best way to preserve it is to extend it to all of humanity...

PV: Regarding Mathematics, as the Professor shared, currently more than 70% of Vietnam’s leading professors are from Nghe An. However, in recent years, Mathematics has not been Nghe An’s strength in international “arenas”. Is there a “gap” in Mathematics today?

Professor Ngo Bao Chau:I think that with Mathematics, to maintain a long-term passion, the important thing is awareness, rigor, and discipline in studying. This is the secret, the key to sharing energy.

Professor Ngo Bao Chau enjoyed the exchange between students.

The second thing is passion, aptitude and talent. Nghe An has a lot of young talents. If they are nurtured and blossomed, they will grow up. Nghe An needs many international scientists to come to the children, to talk to them about research and science. I also think that in the current era, the internet is a rich source of information for children to search for information, shortening the distance with the world. But to have high achievements, what is needed most is qualified and dedicated teachers. Like with the Physics subject that Nghe An is doing.

Educational reform is necessary

PV: Currently, the country's education sector is in the process of "comprehensive fundamental innovation". What is your opinion on this issue, Professor?

Professor Ngo Bao Chau:Intellectual infrastructure is a very necessary thing. Looking at Vietnam's current education, we can see the truth: if we compare our specialized high schools with the world's leading high schools, we can be completely proud and on par. However, if we compare them with universities, it is difficult. In the first year, students can still compete, but in the second, third, and fourth years, they are increasingly behind. That is not to mention master's and doctoral training. There is still a gap in university education.

The question is why we have potential and human advantages but we cannot develop them? In Asia, there are two miraculous examples in Korea and Singapore. Their education system may have started from the same base as ours, but they have made great progress because they have boldly innovated and changed. In my opinion, the area that needs the most reform is not general education, but higher education. This is clearly the key to solving, because higher education determines the country's development in training human resources for society.

Professor Ngo Bao Chau took a souvenir photo with Vinh University students.

To innovate education, teachers must also have many changes. I myself have met many teachers and because of them, I have improved. Those teachers have shown me the good and beauty of the subject I love. I love my teachers so much that I like to study Math not because I love Math but because I want to be the best in the eyes of my teachers. Teachers are an example for me to follow.

However, to have a good education, the social position of teachers must be promoted and respected. In particular, the material aspect must also be guaranteed, not luxurious but adequate to ensure they are respected. In addition, spiritual respect is needed.

Reporter: As the first Vietnamese to win two Gold Medals at the International Mathematical Olympiad, successfully defend his doctoral thesis at the age of 25, and win the Fields Medal… To achieve these successes, the Professor had to go through a lot of hard work. So, what message would the Professor want to give to the young generation, especially those who are still facing many difficulties in their entrepreneurial journey?

Professor Ngo Bao Chau:The young generation today is more uncertain than my generation and my parents' generation. In the past, the path offered had almost no choices and everyone had to try to follow what was predetermined. Now, young people are faced with many opportunities, there will be hesitation and worry. But think positively, that way you will have more luck. However, because there are many choices, we should be more courageous, be strict with ourselves and take responsibility for our choices.

PV: The traditional Tet holiday is an important occasion for all Vietnamese people. For the Professor's family, has that changed after living abroad for many years?

Professor Ngo Bao Chau:For me and those who work abroad, we can no longer feel the “soul” of the traditional Tet holiday as clearly as we did in Vietnam. Because in those days in the host country, everyone had to go to work.

Professor Ngo Bao Chau's family.

However, my family still tries to maintain the traditional Tet holiday. This is not a way to miss the traditional Tet holiday of my childhood. But family reunions and meeting friends are very important, especially for our children, so that they know what the traditional Tet holiday is like in Vietnam; so that they understand that even though they were born and raised abroad, they are still Vietnamese. Every Lunar New Year, my whole family often lights incense sticks to remember our deceased relatives. This is the bond between me and my children, between my children and their family and the country of Vietnam.

PV: Thank you, Professor. I wish you and your family a warm, happy and successful new year!

My Ha (Implementation)