UIC's Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) launched the Lectures on the Intellectual and Spiritual Pilgrimage, held online and offline on 15 September. UIC President Prof Tang Tao shared his life's journey of seeking truth as the first invited speaker, talking about his changes from a student to an educator.
Prof Tang started the lecture from his experience in senior high school. According to him, he was taught by responsible teachers and developed a solid academic and literary foundation. Then in 1980, he went to study mathematics at Peking University.
He continued his postgraduate study at Peking University and established 20-year academic cooperation with his tutor Prof Teng Zhenhuan. After that, he got admitted into the Applied Mathematics PhD Programme at the University of Leeds. He was awarded a full scholarship.
After graduating from the University of Leeds, Prof Tang became an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Simon Fraser University, Canada. He spent ten years on scientific research in the field that interested him. His achievements and efforts led to his success in being elected a Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Students listening to the lecture carefully
In 1998, Prof Tang joined Hong Kong Baptist University, serving in various key roles, from Head of the Department of Mathematics, Dean of Science, Director of Graduate School, to Associate Vice-President. Since 2015, Prof Tang had served in South University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) as vice-president and chair professor in the Department of Mathematics. He was also the Provost of SUSTech as well as Chair Professor of Mathematics.
Prof Tang talking about his learning experiences
In 2019, he was appointed the second President of UIC. He said UIC, the new liberal arts college in Chinese mainland, aims to cultivate well-rounded talents with global visions and a deep understanding of China. He also talked about liberal arts education, which boosts students' potentials and leads them to exploring the world by independent thinking.
During the lecture, Prof Tang encourages interdisciplinary learning and critical thinking, which are significant in innovative education. He also provided four suggestions to students. First, explore and follow one's interests; second, keep persistent; third, broaden horizons; fourth, develop social responsibilities and contribute to the home countries.
Finally, the lecture ended with the Q&A part. Many students put forward questions about the learning methods and interest development of mathematics. Some other questions covered how to maintain UIC's features. According to Prof Tang, liberal arts education is one of UIC's features. Therefore, UIC will continue to recruit qualified professors and build foundations for its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
UIC students asking questions
President Tang Tao with students and staff
Vice President (Academic) of UIC Prof Huang Huaxiong as the host
The Lectures on the Intellectual and Spiritual Pilgrimage has been inviting esteemed and accomplished scholars and celebrities. They will share their learning experiences and insights towards life.
The awards and honours that Prof Tang has received include the Membership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2017, Fellow of American Mathematical Society in 2017, Fellow of SIAM in 2012, the State Natural Science Award (2nd class) of China in 2016, the Changjiang Chair Professorship by the Ministry of Education of China in 2005, Feng Kang Prize in Scientific Computing in 2003, and the Leslie Fox Prize for Numerical Analysis in 1988. He gave an invited lecture at International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) in 2018.
From MPRO
Reporter: Du Jiewen
Photographer: Zhang Yichi, Covee Wang
Editors: Samuel Burgess, Deen He
