On April 26, Tian Gang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and director of the Beijing International Mathematics Research Center of Peking University (BICMR), visited Guangxi University and delivered a lecture on the topic of “What is Mathematics” for teachers and students of the university. Wang Naixue, vice Chairman of the CPPCC Guangxi Regional Committee and Secretary of the University Party Committee, and Han Linhai, president of the University met with Tian. Ma Shaojian, vice president of the University, presided over the lecture.

Academician Tian Gang led us into a different mathematical world, showing the beauty of abstraction, simplicity, symmetry and unity of mathematics. “Mathematics is not for utility, but it is actually a very useful subject”, said Academician Tian. He introduced the wide application of mathematics in life from different perspectives, such as RSA password used in credit cards, symmetry of various geometries used in architecture, rotation and translation, AI and medical applications. Our students felt in depth the charm of mathematics and understood the role of mathematics in promoting scientific research and social development. Tian encouraged the students to lay a solid foundation to learn mathematics more deeply. Mathematics can bring enlightenment and broaden our horizon. We can solve practical problems with the help of mathematics to promote the development of science and technology. Therefore, we shall strive to be sincere scientific researchers to make contributions to the national scientific and technological innovation.

Tian Gang is a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a foreign member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is currently vice chairman of the Central Committee of China Democratic League, president of Chinese Mathematical Society, Chair Professor of Peking University, Deputy Director of the University Affairs Committee of Peking University, Director of BICMR, leader of the Leading Group of Tianyuan Foundation of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, member of the Expert Advisory Committee of the Middle School Students' Talent Plan implemented by China Association for Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education, and director of the Mathematics Working Committee. He once served as Dean of the School of Mathematical Sciences and Vice President of Peking University.

Directors from the Strategic Planning Office and Guangxi Center for Mathematics Research attended the meeting. Over 300 students and teachers from the School of Computer and Electronic Information, the School of Marine Sciences, the School of Mathematics and Information Science, the School of Physical Science and Technology, and the School of Medicine, attended the lecture.