Genius of the Rules-Style System

Chapter 322: Chapter 217: Is it because I am an intern?

In the domestic academic community, Qiu Zhengwen is known for being ’truthful’.

For instance, at the International Mathematicians Congress held in the capital at the beginning of the new millennium, when asked by a journalist, "How significant is an international conference? Is domestic mathematics truly approaching a world-class level as some assert?"

Qiu Chengwen bluntly responded with five words, "Still a long way off."

The reporter continued to inquire: "You hold Mathematicians Hua Luogeng, Chen Xingshen, and Feng Kang in high regard. Yet in the past twenty years, the Chinese mathematics community has not produced a scientist of considerable stature, nor any world-class results, is this correct?"

Qiu Chengwen’s reply was, "There is indeed a gap between our level of technology and that abroad, and our mathematics is relatively backward, not having much of an impact on the world."

He also discussed the importance of basic sciences, asserting that without them, there can be no long-term economic development.

Emphasizing the large gap between domestic mathematics and international standards while stressing the importance of basic sciences for the long-term development of the economy, almost equates to saying "In order for our domestic economy to develop in the long run, we must promote the rapid advancement of basic sciences", or "The development of our domestic economy will be hindered by the backwardness of basic sciences".

As noted by the reporter, after the Mathematicians Congress, some domestic mathematicians stated that the development of mathematics in China had been swift, and had now caught up with international standards.

Some influential mathematicians responded to the same query with ’no comment’.

The ’truthful’ words of Qiu Chengwen are bound to stir up some controversy and debate.

One of the most impactful instances was the ’war of words’ he had a few years ago with Yang Zhen, the director of the Department of Mathematics at Capital University. Yang Zhen was once a student of Qiu Chengwen and had achieved a series of mathematical research results after his graduation.

Upon his return to the country after studying abroad, he became a mathematician strongly supported by the China Mathematical Society. Through his research on differential geometry, he became the first domestic mathematician to give an hour-long speech at the International Mathematicians Congress.

The parties involved in the dispute were Qiu Chengwen and the School of Mathematics at Capital University. Qiu Chengwen publicly criticized the school on issues of academic corruption, standards of academic ethics, and the service time of returnee scholars. Among those named directly in his criticism was Yang Zhen.

So began their ’war of words’.

This dispute, initiated by Qiu Zhengwen, lasted for a year. He accused Yang Zhen of poor academic ability, claiming that his fame was entirely due to academic plagiarism. Many media outlets got involved, with Yang Zhen later stepping forward to declare that Qiu Chengwen’s actions were borne out of his opposition to Capital University establishing the International Mathematics Research Center.

Latterly, the effect of the dispute grew, involving many scholars siding either with Qiu Chengwen or Yang Zhen and Capital University. Even foreign mathematicians and media weighed in, some questioning the character of Qiu Chengwen. For example, Qiu Chengwen claimed that the Poincaré Conjecture was first proven by domestic scholars, others helped Yang Zhen establish that his research was not plagiarized, while some supported Qiu Chengwen’s views, believing he had put into words what others dared not say.

All in all, the situation became very complicated.

Because Qiu Chengwen lacked definitive evidence of Yang Zhen’s academic plagiarism, and since Yang Zhen was one of the notable scholars in Chinese mathematical circles, the matter ultimately came to nothing.

From this incident, one can infer how complex the domestic academic community’s attitude towards Qiu Chengwen is. Many people harbor ill feelings towards him, believing he is too self-centered in his dealings and his views on certain events are too one-sided. Yet there are also many people who fully support Qiu Chengwen, appreciating his candidness and seeing him as a breath of fresh air in the academic world.

And so on.

No matter how diverse the domestic academic community’s opinions of Qiu Chengwen may be, they cannot undermine his standing in the field of mathematics. As the first Chinese recipient of the Fields Medal, Qiu Chengwen’s influence in the field of mathematical research is world-class.

Even if he is loathed by many, it does not alter the fact that he wields considerable influence in both domestic and international mathematics circles.

Now that Qiu Chengwen has returned to Shuimu University and played a key role in the establishment of the Mathematics Science Center, he has faced many obstacles. But more people know that no matter how many obstacles exist, they cannot prevent the establishment of the Mathematics Science Center.

Because in reality, Shuimu University also needs a Mathematics Science Center to rival the International Mathematics Research Center at Capital University.

Qiu Chengwen’s proposal hit the nail on the head.

Now, some people have already started to lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Mathematics Science Center at Shuimu University. Hiring renowned mathematicians from home and abroad is one of the top priorities. Even Qiu Chengwen believes that it would be best if Zhao Yi could be recruited to Shuimu University to join the Mathematics Science Center.

In the span of just a year, Zhao Yi has become one of the top mathematicians in the country. freewebnøvel.com

In addition, Zhao Yi is still a student, unaffiliated with any faction. His future also looks promising. Many believe that he will receive the Fields Medal in four years’ time.

If Zhao Yi joins the newly established Mathematics Science Center at Shuimu University, it would be tantamount to the Center nurturing its own Fields Medal laureate in a mere four years.

The Mathematics Science Center at Shuimu University has only just been established, and there is still much work to be done. Some who oppose Qiu Chengwen do not want the Center to rapidly expand its influence and are therefore not invested in the effort to invite Zhao Yi.