MATH OPEN DAY 2018 “Mathematics Decodes the Chaotic World”

Scientific Activities

MATH OPEN DAY 2018 “Mathematics Decodes the Chaotic World”

On Sunday, November 4, 2018 the Vietnam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics (VIASM) and the Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted co-organized the Math Open Day 2018 - MOD 2018 with the theme "Mathematics Decodes the Chaotic World". The occasion was a great success, attracting nearly 2,000 attendees. This year's MOD 2018 included a wide variety of activities and exhibitions for students of all ages, parents, educators, scientists and all those who are interested in mathematics and science.

The Math Open Day 2018 welcomed the presence of key leaders in the country. Prominent professors in Mathematics, the Heads of Gifted high schools and universities, and more than 250 scientists nationwide also participated in the event.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Huu Do speaks at the Opening Ceremony of the 2017-2018 Mathematics Outstanding paper Award and the 2017-2018 Scholarship Award Ceremony

Deputy Minister Bui The Duy and Asoc.Prof. Vu Hoang Linh hand the award to authors of the 2018 Outstanding paper Award

Prof. Tran Van Nhung at the 2017-2018 Mathematics Outstanding paper Award and the 2017-2018 Scholarship Award Ceremony

In the opening speech, Associate Professor Le Minh Ha - Managing Director of the Vietnam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics announced that the main focus of this year's Math Open Day 2018 is on the broad applications of Mathematics, especially the increasing and essential role of Mathematics in the Digital Age. Because of the challenges in maintaining Big Data security, the breakthrough of the emergence of AI, the exploration of natural phenomenons, the development within a chaotic world, applied Mathematics plays an utterly important role in these scientific and technological advances.

Assoc.Prof. Le Minh Ha - Managing Director of VIASM speaks at the Math Open Day 2018's Opening Ceremony

A series of public lectures related to the topic of “Mathematics without boundaries” were conducted during the event, commencing with the lecture titled “Information Security in the Digital Age” by Prof. Phan Duong Hieu. Following was the lecture titled “Computational Astro-Physics, from a supermassive black hole to the formation of a planet system” conveyed by Prof. Dinh Van Trung. The lecture “Which AI for Viet Nam” given by Prof. Ho Tu Bao concluded the series. Despite having abstract and complex nature, the presented knowledge and information was comprehensively and concisely explained by the professors.

In the talkshow "Vietnam - From AK to AI", Vietnam’s experts in AI: Prof. Ho Tu Bao, Mr. Bui The Duy - Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Pham Kim Hung - Base CEO, Mr. Dao Duc Minh - Acting Managing Director of Institute of Big Data, Assoc. Prof. Pham Bao Son - Vice President of University of Technology - Vietnam National University, Mr. Truong Dinh Tuyen - former Minister of Trade of Vietnam (now the Ministry of Industry and Trade), commented on important issues that have great impact on the future of Vietnam. "From AK to AI" described the lives of many Vietnamese scientists, who formerly served in the military armed with guns to protect their homeland subsequently became great experts in their respective fields after returning home from war. The name also represented the path to development of the nation with a desire for a brighter future. The Ministry of Science and Technology is currently developing a strategy to support research and technological application of the “Industry 4.0” in Vietnam. One opportunity for Vietnam in developing AI as well as technology that attracts large number of experts around the world is that there are many specific math problems to be solved. However, it is important to note that in order to effectively captivate those experts, promotion of the training of human resources in the country is essential.

Assoc.Prof. Le Minh Ha - Managing Director of VIASM presents flowers to Prof. Phan Duong Hieu and Prof. Dinh Van Trung after the public lectures

Many prestigious educational institutions participated in organizing The Math Open Day 2018, including scores of gifted high schools and international schools. A series of mathematical scientific experiments titled "The magical kingdom of Mathematics" facilitated by schools and institutions focused not only on mathematics in particular, but also on the application of mathematics in science, engineering, and other STEM disciplines. Students and parents were able to learn and experience together these fun activities. In addition, the exhibition "Windows of Mathematics" directed by Associate Professor Pho Duc Tai - Vice Dean of the Mathematics-Computer-Informatics Department, University of Science, Vietnam National University also brought a lot of excitement to the students.

From left to right: Assoc.Prof. Pham Bao Son, Deputy Minister Bui The Duy, Prof. Ho Tu Bao, Mr. Truong Dinh Tuyen, Dr. Dao Duc Minh, CEO Pham Kim Hung during the talkshow

Students enjoy participating in the mathematical scientific experiments

A student from Ngoc My Secondary School, Quoc Oai, Hanoi said: "At first, for me mathematics was just another a compulsory subject. The more I learned, the harder the exercises became, and sometimes I often wondered how these exercises could benefit me in the future. However, after participating in events like this, my perspective on this subject have changed.”

Deputy Minister Nguyen Huu Do and Assoc.Prof. Le Minh Ha meet with the volunteers at the Math Open Day 2018

During this event, the 2017-2018 Mathematics Outstanding paper Award and the 2017-2018 Scholarship Award Ceremony funded by the National Program for the Development of Mathematics also took place. In 2017 and 2018, there were 197 outsanding papers were recognized, 295 scholarships awarded to students from 71 specialized high schools, and 188 scholarships awarded to students from 13 universities nationwide. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Huu Do - Vice Minister of Education and Training congratulated the scientists who received the awards, the students who earned the scholarships, and symbolically expressed gratitude towards the teachers for training such excellent generation of students. He said that these awards and scholarships would create a movement that would improve the quality of teaching and learning mathematics in the country. He also praised the Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics (VIASM) for organizing such a hugely successful Math Open Day 2018. According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Do, the Ministry of Education and Training looks forward to seeing VIASM expand the model of Math Open Day to other cities and provinces in Vietnam. VIASM is dedicated to the mission of promoting the development of applied Mathematics in the country through activities like the Math Open Day 2018.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Huu Do and Prof. Ngo Viet Trung hand the award and present flowers to authors of the 2017-2018 Outstanding paper Award

VIASM would like to express its warmest thanks to all the institutions, high schools, and universities for co-organizing such an exciting and successful Math Open Day this year.

- Hanoi-Amsterdam High school for the Gifted

- S3 Academy for Creation

- POMATH

- UberMath

- Math and Science Summer Program MaSSP

- IEG Global

- Math with Jenny

- The Olympia Schools

- Horizon International Bilingual School

- Hung Yen Gifted High School

- High School of Education Science - Vietnam National University

- Ho Xuan Huong High School - Hanoi Adelaide School (H.A.S)