On March 15, coinciding with the sixth International Mathematics Day, the opening ceremony of Wuhan University's 21st Mathematics Culture Festival and 2nd Luojia Undergraduate Mathematics Forum was held in the Lecture Hall of Lei Jun Science Building. Attendees included Li Qin, Party Secretary of the School; Fan Huijun, Dean; Liu Shanshan, Deputy Party Secretary; Wang Maofa, Vice Dean; and faculty representatives from various teaching and research departments. Student speakers from 11 universities nationwide and undergraduate students from Wuhan University's School of Mathematics and Statistics participated in the event. The ceremony was presided over by Gao Linxuan, President of the School of Mathematics and Statistics Student Union.
Li Qin delivered the opening address. In his remarks, he extended a warm welcome to faculty and students from universities across the nation. Beginning with the origins of International Mathematics Day, he introduced the long-established School of Mathematics and Statistics at Wuhan University, highlighting its academic traditions and cultural heritage. He also reviewed the outstanding achievements of the inaugural Luojia Undergraduate Mathematics Forum. Finally, Li Qin declared the official opening of this year's Mathematics Culture Festival and the Second Undergraduate Forum. He expressed his hope that all participants would gain new insights and growth from this academic feast of collaboration between teachers and students, mutual learning, and intellectual exchange.
Professor Fan Huijun delivered the inaugural academic lecture titled “Essence of Mathematics,” guiding the audience into the depths of mathematics through five dimensions: mathematics and culture, equation solving and number fields, algebra and geometry, mathematics and physics, and the Riemann Hypothesis. Professor Fan began by discussing humanity's evolving understanding of mathematics across historical eras, linking the development of human civilization with mathematical progress. He revealed the essence of mathematics as a way of life before delving into specific mathematical problems, guiding the audience to contemplate the applications of Euler's formula and Gallop's theory. Drawing from his own academic journey, Professor Fan encouraged students to cultivate their interests and pursue truth, wishing them continuous progress and brilliant achievements on their research paths.
Subsequently, the conference divided into five parallel sessions—Computational Mathematics and Data Science, Probability Theory and Statistics, Algebra and Analysis, Control Science and Geometric Topology, and Equations and Mathematical Physics—with ten specialized tracks for in-depth discussions. Faculty representatives from various departments within the school, including Zhang Jiwei, Zhao Xiaofei, Deng Changsong, Deng Shirong, Wang Liouquan, Rao Sheng, Zhang Can, Sun Jun, and Jiang Ning delivered specialized presentations. Undergraduate attendees participated in the sub-forum discussions based on their academic interests.
In the afternoon, twelve undergraduate speakers from Wuhan University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Zhejiang University, Tsinghua University, University of Science and Technology of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University, and National University of Defense Technology delivered keynote presentations. Faculty members in attendance included Liu Xiaochun, Head of the Department of Pure Mathematics; Dai Shuyang, Head of the Department of Information and Computational Science; Jiang Guanglin, Head of the Department of Probability and Statistical Science; and Wang Lijuan, Associate Head of the Department of Applied Mathematics, who provided commentary.
The speakers delivered outstanding presentations based on their research experiences, earning unanimous praise and enthusiastic applause from the faculty and students in attendance.
Bridging minds through the beauty of mathematics and academic exchange, Wuhan University's Mathematics Culture Festival and Luojia Undergraduate Mathematics Forum has created a stage for mathematical minds nationwide to collide. From delving into mathematical history to exploring cutting-edge theories, from collaborative research between faculty and students to cross-university partnerships, this academic gathering—rich in historical depth and innovative vitality—will inspire more young scholars to carry forward the spirit of mathematics and compose new chapters in its legacy.
(Correspondents: Liao Leilei, Fan Yu)
