The Chern Lecture is the top-level lecture series of Chern Institute of Mathematics. In the September of 2008, with the approval and support from Professor Shiing-Shen Chern’s families, Nankai University and related departments, Chern Lecture was established by Chern Institute of Mathematics as a memorial to Professor Chern and the significant contributions he made to the field of mathematics and the development of Chinese mathematics. Chern Lecture offers a great platform for visit and exchange of international leading scientists, especially mathematicians, and promotes the development of mathematical research in Nankai University.

Chern Lecture aims to disseminate the ideas of science to the public (especially to undergraduates, postgraduates and teachers), to push forward the development of science, mathematics particularly, and to stimulate the mathematical and physical science to play a more important role in the developing of social economy. Therefore invited talks in Chern lectures generally should be high-level scientific talks given in a popular way and finished within one hour.

Invited guest speakers of Chern Lectures should be distinguished scientists or relevant leading figures who are renowned worldwide for their academic positions and have made significant contributions to science, especially mathematics, and its application.

Basically there is no set period for the holding of Chern Lectures. Joinly discussed and approved by the Institute’s academicians, the director and the vice director in charge of scientific research, about two guest speakers (one Chinese speaker and one foreign speaker) are invited each year by Chern Institute of Mathematics as planned. The number of speaker can be increased in particular circumstance.