On August 19 and 20, the Forum on the Development of Mathematics Discipline, hosted by Xi’an University of Technology (XUT) and organized by the School of Mathematics of XUT, was held in Xi’an. The forum was attended by leading experts in mathematics, including Zhang Weiping, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor at Nankai University; Xi Nanhua, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, President of the Chinese Mathematical Society, and Research Fellow at the Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Zhang Pingwen, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and President of Wuhan University; Ye Xiangdong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor at the University of Science and Technology of China; Tian Ye, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Research Fellow at the Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; as well as more than 30 top experts in mathematics from universities and research institutes across China. Liu Yunhe, President of Xi’an University of Technology, attended the forum, and Vice President Hei Xinhong presided over the opening ceremony.
At the opening ceremony, Liu Yunhe delivered remarks on behalf of the University. He introduced XUT’s history, disciplinary layout, and achievements in university development, and reviewed the progress made by the School of Mathematics in areas such as the establishment of a first-level doctoral discipline, a National First-Class Undergraduate Programme, and national-level talent cultivation. He expressed the hope that the attending experts would provide valuable suggestions on the disciplinary layout, faculty development, talent cultivation, and research innovation of the University’s mathematics discipline. He also noted that the forum would serve as an important platform for further deepening inter-university research exchange and cooperation in talent cultivation, supporting the development of basic disciplines in central and western China, and contributing to China’s pursuit of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength.
Academician Xi Nanhua delivered a speech, in which he fully recognized the distinctive “Mathematics + Engineering” educational characteristics and achievements of the School of Mathematics at Xi’an University of Technology. He expressed the expectation that the School would continue to focus on frontier research directions, strengthen the introduction and cultivation of talents, and optimize its support system, thereby providing valuable practical experience for similar universities in developing distinctive mathematics disciplines and offering an excellent local model for balanced regional development of mathematics in China. He stated that the Chinese Mathematical Society would continue to follow and support the development of the School. Xi also emphasized that mathematics serves as the fundamental source of scientific and technological innovation, and that in the new era it is essential to consolidate the foundations of basic mathematical research and promote mutual empowerment between pure theoretical research and applied research. He hoped that the forum would encourage universities and research institutions nationwide to further enhance exchanges and cooperation, and jointly advance original innovation and the transformation of achievements in mathematics.
Academician Zhang Pingwen also delivered remarks. He noted that the establishment of an independent School of Mathematics is a strong measure to support the development of the mathematics discipline. The forward-looking model adopted by Xi’an University of Technology in building its School of Mathematics provides useful reference for similar universities in China. He pointed out that in the era of artificial intelligence, mathematics is facing comprehensive impacts and new challenges in talent cultivation. Drawing inspiration from the implications of the Fields Medal for the discipline, he suggested that mathematics disciplines at universities should pursue distinctive development paths based on their own strengths. He also called on mathematicians to further explore the potential of local talent cultivation, actively voice professional perspectives, and build consensus across the field. He expressed the hope that the attending experts would jointly discuss the development pathways of mathematics in China in the AI era, strengthen confidence in disciplinary development, and promote the steady and sustained advancement of mathematics in China.
The expert discussion session was chaired by Academician Zhang Pingwen. Professor Shen Xiaoqin, Dean of the School of Mathematics at Xi’an University of Technology, presented a report on the current development status, existing shortcomings, and medium- and long-term development plan of the School. Based on the realities of higher education development in western China, the participating experts offered suggestions on areas including the connotative development of doctoral programs, research project organization, faculty team building, mechanisms for interdisciplinary integration between science and engineering, and the integrated development of artificial intelligence and mathematics. They put forward many practical and feasible recommendations for future development. Liu Yunhe expressed gratitude to the academicians and experts for their insights, stating that the University would systematically review and incorporate their valuable suggestions, further strengthen support in policies, funding, platforms, and talent resources, and make concerted efforts to build a distinctive western China hub for mathematics research and talent cultivation with strong integration between science and engineering. He also expressed the hope that the experts would continue to care for and guide the University’s development, deepen long-term academic and research cooperation, and jointly contribute to serving major national strategic needs and regional economic and social development.
The forum established a high-level platform for academic exchange and intellectual dialogue, clarifying ideas and directions for the future development of the University’s mathematics discipline. Taking this forum as an opportunity, XUT will further strengthen its foundation in the sciences, promote mutual empowerment between basic research and engineering applications, and strive to advance the high-quality development of its mathematics discipline.
Heads of relevant functional departments of the University, leadership members at both school and departmental levels of the School of Mathematics, young backbone faculty members, and postgraduate student representatives attended the forum. The official promotional video of the School of Mathematics, Bounded Numbers, Boundless Learning, was released during the event.
Written by: Gan Ning, Liu Meng
Reviewed by: Wang Lin, Shen Xiaoqin