Chern Institute of Mathematics, Nankai University — prestigious at home and abroad

Founded in 1985, Chern Institute of Mathematics (CIM, formerly Nankai Mathematics Institute) has cultivated a large number of young and middle-aged mathematicians famous at home and abroad. Through various activities of academic exchanges, CIM greatly promoted the development of Chinese pure and applied mathematics, and significantly enhanced China’s international status in mathematics.

It enjoys high reputation in mathematics academia both at home and abroad. In 1926, Shiingshen Chern was admitted to the Mathematics Department of Nankai University at the age of 15. In 1985, Chern founded Nankai Mathematics Institute and took the post of its director until 1992. On December 3, 2005, at the 1st anniversary of Chern’s death, Nankai Mathematics Institute was renamed Chern Institute of Mathematics.

CIM is a highly open institute. The objective of the institute is to attract Chinese and foreign mathematicians, promote the development of pure and applied mathematics of China, and cultivate high-level mathematicians for China. Since its founding, the institute has undertaken a wide range of academic exchange events and cultivated a large number of world-famous mathematicians. CIM has become a world-famous mathematics research institution and an important base for independent mathematics research and cultivation of mathematics talents in China. Now, the institute has a world-level research team, including 4 academicians of CAS, 4 distinguished professors in the “Yangtze Scholar Award Program” of the Ministry of Education, and 6 chair professors.

The research group has won many honors, awards and funds from home and abroad for their outstanding achievements. Shiingshen Chern is a world-renowned master of mathematics. With exceptional expertise in differential geometry, Chern is one of the most outstanding geometricians in the 20th century. He laid a solid foundation for global differential geometry, and exerted far-reaching influence on the development of mathematics and even theoretical physics. Chern is also a great educator.

Many of his students became accomplished mathematicians, such as Wu Wenjun, Qiu Chengtong and Yan Zhida. Chern made remarkable contributions to the development of mathematics education in the world, especially in China. Chern is also a great patriot. With affectionate love for his motherland, Chern expressed his confidence that China would become a power in mathematics in the 21st century. He also offered suggestions to the state on opening to the outside world, development of science, and cultivation and introduction of talents. He was active in promoting academic exchanges and cooperation, facilitating the convening of an international mathematicians conference in China, rendering support and guidance on the founding and development of Nankai Mathematics Institute and International Mathematical Research Center of Nankai University.

Chern dedicated his whole life to the development of science and education in the world, especially in China. With his brilliant achievements, Chern is justifiably admired and remembered as a master of mathematics.