On the afternoon of December 25, to cherish the memory of the noble demeanor of mathematical master Mr. Hua Luogeng, inherit his spirit of patriotism, dedication and rigorous scholarship, and gather strength for disciplinary development, the Department of Mathematical Sciences held a symposium commemorating the 115th anniversary of the birth of Mr. Hua Luogeng on the 10th floor of Shuangqing Complex Building A. More than 40 people, including Ms. Hua Mi and Mr. Zhang Xiaochong (family representatives of Mr. Hua Luogeng), Mr. Zhao Yuhe (spouse of Hua Su), Mr. Feng Keqin (student of Mr. Hua and former Dean of the Department of Mathematical Sciences), as well as faculty and student representatives of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, gathered together to recall Mr. Hua’s deeds and discuss the inheritance of his spirit and the blueprint for disciplinary development. The meeting was presided over by Dong Yuan, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
Group photo of the event
The symposium kicked off with the screening of a commemorative short film about Mr. Hua Luogeng. Through precious video materials and vivid reviews of his deeds, the short film presented a three-dimensional portrait of Mr. Hua Luogeng’s life dedicated to mathematics, scientific research, education and national development. His noble character of pursuing truth diligently and selflessly contributing to society deeply moved everyone present.
Zhou Jian delivers remarks
Subsequently, Dong Yuan introduced the background, core theme and participating guests of the meeting. During the address session, Zhou Jian, Dean of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, on behalf of all faculty and students, paid deep tribute and high respect to Mr. Hua Luogeng, a famous Chinese mathematician. He affectionately reviewed the profound connection between Mr. Hua and the Department of Mathematical Sciences, highly affirmed Mr. Hua’s outstanding contributions to disciplinary construction and talent cultivation, and shared his unforgettable experience of resolutely choosing the path of mathematical research inspired by Mr. Hua’s academic spirit. His words were full of reverence for the predecessor and determination to inherit his legacy.
Hua Mi delivers a speech
In the sharing and discussion session, Ms. Hua Mi, daughter of Mr. Hua Luogeng, emotionally recounted the past stories of her father in mathematical exploration from a unique perspective. She added many vivid and little-known details, revealing the image of Mr. Hua beyond books and media reports, and presenting to the audience a scientific giant who was both rigorous and truthful and full of humanistic feelings. Her touching speech aroused waves of resonance. The affectionate sharing from Ms. Hua Mi, Mr. Zhang Xiaochong and Mr. Zhao Yuhe allowed the faculty and students present to gain a more vivid and authentic understanding of Mr. Hua.
Feng Keqin delivers a speech
Mr. Feng Keqin, student of Mr. Hua and former Dean of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, affectionately reviewed the years of studying with Mr. Hua. He pointed out that scientists of Mr. Hua’s generation always adhered to the principle of "putting the country first and the cause above all else", integrated personal ideals into the mission of the times, and showed profound patriotism. Mr. Feng especially emphasized that Mr. Hua practiced the belief that "genius lies in diligence" throughout his life, pursued rigorous and hard scholarship, and faced various challenges with the spirit of self-improvement. He called on the younger generation of mathematical workers to inherit this patriotism and striving spirit, shoulder their missions bravely in the new era, and contribute to the development of the discipline and the country.
Speeches by faculty and student representatives
In the special discussion session, speakers included in-service teachers Hu Zhiming, Lin Yong, Shan Peng, Xing Wenxun, Yang Ying, retired teachers Lu Xuguang, He Jianyong, postdoctoral fellow Wang Ziting, undergraduate Cai Tianzhuo, postgraduate Li Ziyu, and members of the departmental leading group. They either shared precious memories related to Mr. Hua or talked about their profound insights into Mr. Hua’s academic thoughts. All agreed that they would take Mr. Hua’s spirit of "daring to innovate and being willing to contribute" as an example, continue to strive on the journey of mathematical research, and pass on the academic cause pioneered by Mr. Hua from generation to generation to shine with new brilliance of the times.
Mr. Hua Luogeng and the Department of Mathematical Sciences of Tsinghua University are a model of mutual achievement between a genius and a talent scout. In 1931, Hua Luogeng, a grocery store clerk with only a junior high school diploma, was recruited exceptionally by Xiong Qinglai, Dean of the Department, as a librarian at Tsinghua University for one of his papers. At Tsinghua, relying on his talent and diligence, he was promoted exceptionally to an assistant professor two years later, teaching calculus courses, became a lecturer in 1935, and was recommended to study at Cambridge University in the UK in 1936. During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, he resolutely returned to China and went to Tsinghua University, which had moved south to Kunming, to serve as a professor at the National Southwestern Associated University. It was during this war-torn period that he completed his masterpiece Additive Theory of Prime Numbers.
Tsinghua University provided fertile ground for Mr. Hua with its inclusive academic spirit; in return, Mr. Hua repaid this appreciation with world-class achievements, greatly enhancing the international influence of Tsinghua Mathematics. Today, his statue has been moved from the Science Building to the new site of the Department of Mathematical Sciences on the 10th floor of Shuangqing Complex Building A, symbolizing that this pioneering spirit is further inherited and continued with the development of the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
Group photo of all participants
The symposium came to a successful conclusion with a solemn and warm group photo. The holding of this event is not only a sincere memory of the 115th anniversary of the birth of Mr. Hua Luogeng, allowing all participants to further deepen their understanding of the connotation of Mr. Hua Luogeng’s spirit, but also gathered consensus and inspired morale. It has laid a solid ideological and mass foundation for the Department of Mathematical Sciences to continuously inherit the spirit of science, deepen disciplinary construction and achieve high-quality development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. This symposium is an inspiring spiritual baptism, which will surely motivate the faculty and students of the Department of Mathematical Sciences to devote themselves to academic undertakings with firmer faith, cultivate more outstanding mathematical talents, and help disciplinary construction reach a new level.
