In 1986, invited by Professor Shiing-Shen Chern, Nobel laureate in physics and renowned physicist Chen Ning Yang founded the Theoretical Physics Division in Nankai Institute of Mathematics (currently the Chern Institute of Mathematics) and provided academic guidance. This is a great contribution to the development of the Institute. This year marks the 110th anniversary of the birth of Shiing-Shen Chern, also Professor Chen Ning Yang's 100th birthday. Recently the Chern Institute of Mathematics (CIM) hosted and participated a series of activities to celebrate Professor Yang's birtday.
On September 15, a special lecture was hosted by CIM, School of Physics of Nankai University (NKU) and the Theoretical Physics Division of CIM. Mo-Lin Ge, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and professor at CIM, was invited to deliver the lecture titled "Professor Chen Ning Yang's Academic Achievements" to teachers and students of NKU. During the lecture, by showing the audience many precious pictures, Professor Mo-Lin Ge reminisced about the deep friendship between Shiing-Shen Chern and Chen Ning Yang, and told of the remarkable contribution that they have made to the development of NKU and the country. An audience of more than 500, including people at spot and online, were listening to this fascinating lecture.
During September 22-24, a three-episode documentary The Great Master Chen Ning Yang was broadcast on the "National Memory" section of the Chinese International Channel of CCTV. The three episodes, which are titled "Living up to the Glorious Youth", "Devotion to Family and Country", and "Returning to the Root", tell of stories of Professor Chen Ning Yang from his childhood, education experience, how he strove for making extraordinary achievements in scientific research; to his love and care for China when he was abroad, his earnest efforts on supporting China's science and education, and his returning back to his motherland. Professor Mo-Lin Ge was invited to participate in the filming of the documentary, in which he introduced Professor Yang's achievements from a professional standpoint, and offered his own insight into Professor Yang's spirit of science exploration and love for his homeland. The documentary received warm responses after the broadcast.
On September 23, Tsinghua University hosted a seminar on the academic thought of Professor Chen Ning Yang for celebrating his 100th birthday. Professor Mo-Lin Ge was invited to introduce Professor Yang's achievements in physics at the seminar. Using concise but informative words and pictures, Professor Ge presented and explained Professor Yang's basic physical thoughts and extraordinary achievements in physical research. He spoke highly of Professor Yang's outstanding accomplishments in the field of physics, and expressed his deep admiration. On the same day, CIM specially provided a conference room for teachers and students to watch the live webcast.
Through all these activities, teachers and students of CIM have been deeply impressed by the noble qualities of the two great masters Professor Chen Ning Yang and Professor Shiing-Shen Chern, and have determined to head forward in their footsteps to further promote the development of mathematics.
