Professor Ngo Bao Chau has told VnExpress about his plan to set up a scholarship fund and the reason why he refused the gift of a villa at Tuan Chau island resort. VietNamNet Bridge – Professor Ngo Bao Chau has told VnExpress about his plan to set up a scholarship fund and the reason why he refused the gift of a villa at Tuan Chau island resort.

Professor Ngo Bao Chau and his wife at the ceremony celebrating Chau’s medal-winning accomplishments

VnExpress: How did you feel when 4000 fellow countrymen turned out for a ceremony celebrating your medal-winning accomplishment on August 29?

Ngo Bao Chau: Well, of course I was touched. The Government organized the celebration in such a solemn and warm atmosphere. I was also really moved by the warming feelings and the pride that I could see in the eyes of the students who attended the ceremony. This is really my big happiness.

VnExpress: You wrote on your blog that you worry that your success has thrust big responsibilities on you. What do you mean by that?

Chau: I feel as though people are looking to me for leadership in ensuring the healthy development of Vietnam’s sciences and university education. Because I was awarded the Fields Medal, people listen to my voice, and that makes my responsibility heavier.

VnExpress: How will you split your time between teaching at the University of Chicago and attending to the development of Vietnam’s sciences in general and the Advanced Mathematics Institute in particular?

Chau: Besides starting new research, I plan to mentor more postgraduates than previously. My work in Vietnam mostly relates to the Advanced Mathematics Institute that we hope to launch soon. The institute will be the incubator for new research teams, where many new research themes will be born.

I personally plan to organise one such team, but I hope there will be many others. I will work with the institute’s management board to recruit capable mathematicians in Vietnam and abroad to work at the institute for a time. Selection will be based on candidates’ records, the promise of their research proposals and their ability to work cooperatively.

I will also help Hanoi National University to establish international relations worthy of its high standard. I will try to keep a close watch over general issues of scientific research and training and will voice my opinions when necessary.

VnExpress: Let’s return to Fields Medal. Many people think that the Fields Medal award to Ngo Bao Chau is an achievement of his French and American education, not Vietnamese education. Would you agree?

Chau: My achievements depended a lot on the scientific research environment in the US and France. However, my mathematics foundation was established at schools in Vietnam. Therefore, it will be unfair to deny credit to Vietnam’s educational system.

VnExpress: You said that you would put the prize money, $15,000, into a Ngo Bao Chau Scholarship Fund. What are your aims for the fund?

Chau: I am discussing with my friends and some businesses the establishment of a study encouragement fund or a scholarship fund. I will reserve all the reward money for the fund. It’s not that much money, but it has big significance. I hope it will be a catalyst that brings together many organizations and individuals. We aim to have a roundtable meeting later this week to make firm up this intention.

We intend to grant scholarships to students who have high achievements but difficult circumstances, and to some postgraduates here. The fund will find experienced people who will serve as mentors and sponsors. Good advice can be as valuable as a bag of money.

VnExpress: You have refused the villa on Tuan Chau island that businessman Dao Hong Tuyen tried to give you as a present. Wouldn’t it have been better to auction off the villa to raise money for the scholarship fund?

Chau: Support by businessmen like Mr. Tuyen will be really significant for the fund. I hope that the fund can receive support in a less complicated way! It’s more important that the fund runs in a transparent way and scholarships can be given to the right persons than that it disburses big sums of money. It is really difficult to set up the fund, but it will be even more difficult to maintain it.

Source: VnExpress