By Li Han

Staff Writer of the Tsinghua News Center

An inaugural ceremony to mark the opening of the Tsinghua Mathematical Sciences Center (MSC) was held at Tsinghua on December 17th. World-renowned mathematician and Fields Medal winner Shing-tung Yau became its first director.

The MSC is committed to developing itself into a world-class research center and a place for cultivating top mathematical talent in China.

The MSC has invited a group of world-renowned mathematicians to form an expert committee. They include the Fields Medal winner, members of the U.S. Academy of Sciences, the Australian Academy of Sciences, the Danish Academy of Sciences, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as the President of the European Mathematical Society.

"The founding of the MSC marks a new beginning in the development of the discipline of mathematics at Tsinghua," said President Gu. He noted that the MSC aims to cultivate top-level mathematical talent and have world-level research achievements.

Vice Minister of Education Chen Xi, Vice Director of the Office of Overseas Chinese Affairs under the State Council Ren Qiliang, Tsinghua University President Gu Binglin, Tsinghua University Council Chairman Hu Heping, and Professor Shing-tung Yau jointly inaugurated the center. Tsinghua Vice President Chen Xu, Tsinghua Vice President Yuan Si, and world-famous mathematician Chia-Chiao Lin also attended the event.

Professor Shing-tung Yau delivered a speech to Tsinghua faculty members and students after the ceremony.

(Photo by Guo Haijun)