Formula for math success gets boost
Competition aims to promote good learning and teaching of the subject, Wang Ru reports in Hefei.
The contest was first held in 2010. It was organized by mathematician Shing-Tung Yau, who 40 years ago became the first Chinese winner of the Fields Medal, the highest award in mathematics. The competition he set up aims to check students' all-round ability and knowledge in math, and promote the growth of knowledge of the subject in China.
Yau's motivation for setting up the contest was his belief that many Chinese universities had not been able to offer the full range of required mathematical courses, and thus students were lacking in solid fundamental knowledge and skills for further study.
Moreover, universities emphasized applied science much more than mathematical fundamentals, he says.
"I noticed many Chinese students majoring in math performed poorly in their qualification exams for PhD studies at overseas universities, and I wanted to change that."
