By Chen Guo, Liu Bingchen, Li Ni, Huang Yixia, Liu Yong
Compared to other scientists attending the 2024 WLA Forum, Efim Zelmanov, a mathematician, has a special and close connection with China. This connection dates back to 1915, when his father was born in Harbin, China.
In 1997, Zelmanov paid his first visit to Hong Kong, picking up his father’s ties with China.
On October 26, at 2024 WLA Forum, Zelmanov, wearing a blue cardigan and holding a cup of hot coffee, shared his stories about China.
Efim is interviewed by People’s Daily. (Photo provided to People’s Daily)
“Shenzhen International Center made me stay”
Zelmanov fell in love with mathematics as a child Then algebra became the field he continuously explored.
In 1994, at age 39, Zelmanov won the Fields Medal, the highest honor in mathematics research, for figuring out the Burnside Conjecture.
“Science has no borders,” Zelmanov said. He described mathematics as a field where people from different places think about the same mathematical problems and strive for consistent conclusions. Therefore, he actively travels worldwide to engage in international exchanges.
During his first visit to the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in 2016, Zelmanov was impressed by the development of Shenzhen and the university's innovation spirit. He began serving as a distinguished visiting scholar in 2019, establishing the Shenzhen International Center for Mathematics (SICM, or Zelmanov Center for Mathematics).
Initially, Zelmanov planned to stay in Shenzhen for only three months a year. “My heart is more and more there and remains in China.” He thought that he could make a difference in Shenzhen. “We are there at the beginning, we can re-establish the rules,” Zelmanov said.
In 2022, Zelmanov decided to join SUSTech full-time as a Lecture Professor and Director of SICM.
Despite facing some difficulties, Zelmanov noted that he could find support from government officials, who would do their best to help solve the problems. “At all levels, from city to government, they pay great attention to science and to mathematics,” he said.
After five years of hard work, the center has become a gathering place for leading mathematicians from around the world. Nearly one-third of the faculty members at the center are from overseas. “Scholars come to visit every year, some for three months or more,” Zelmanov said.
“It’s the Shenzhen International Center for Mathematics that made me stay in China,” said Zelmanov, expressing his satisfaction with the center.
The only man at SHE forum
Talking about Shanghai, Zelmanov said, “Shanghai is ... wow!” He raised his arms and described it as exciting and great.
Zelmanov describes Shanghai as exciting and great (Photo provided to People’s Daily)
His three visits to Shanghai were all related to the WLA Forum. In 2018, the WLA initiated the WLA Forum in Shanghai to create a scientific venue that gathers global talents and promotes international exchange and cooperation. This year, nearly 300 scientists from 20 countries and regions gathered here.
All scientists advocate for international cooperation. “A forum alone cannot achieve international cooperation, but the forum contributes to it, he said.
“This forum is not like any other conference; it’s very special,” Zelmanov said. He praised the diversity of the WLA Forum as a major attraction, adding, “You can really meet very famous and interesting people from different fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, and artificial intelligence.”
Zelmanov participates in WLA Young Scientists Forum. (Photo provided to People’s Daily)
For Zelmanov, this year's forum had a new special feature: he was the only male guest at the SHE Forum, which focuses on female leadership in the scientific research community.
“He is a very warm-hearted person,” said Chen Wenxin, the publicity person in charge of the forum, explaining why Zelmanov was invited to the SHE Forum.
Zelmanov participates in WLA SHE Forum. (Photo provided to People’s Daily)
At the forum, Zelmanov sat between six female scientists from different fields and nationalities, facing a predominantly female audience downstage.
When the audience asked questions, the female scientists responded one by one, but Zelmanov, who enjoys public speaking, spoke very little. When asked why, Zelmanov said, “I want to listen to their voices to understand better.”
“Don’t Listen to Your Teachers”
Looking back on his studies, Zelmanov is very grateful to his math teacher Lydya whom he had when he was 12 years old. “She always provided me with difficult problems and encouraged me to challenge myself. It determined my future life,” he said.
Influenced by his math teacher, Zelmanov took an interest in advising students. After 1990, Zelmanov taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Chicago, Yale University, and the University of California, San Diego, and found that teaching was a great pleasure.
After winning the Fields Medal in 1994, Zelmanov felt he had taken on the role of a spokesperson who could represent mathematics.
He thought he had moved from mathematics to public relations, even considering outreach activities an essential part of his life. His presence has been felt at renowned universities in China, the United States, South Korea, and Singapore.
In 2022, James Bunch, then the head of the mathematics department at the University of California, San Diego, said, “Zelmanov is an excellent educator, one of the world's top mathematicians, and an outstanding role model for younger generations of students.”
Zelmanov believes that China values education and knowledge, and its students work very hard. He has taught students from different countries, but Chinese students have left him with the unique impression of being less confrontational towards teachers.
However, he also added, “When I was giving talks in China, I told students ‘don't listen to your teacher.’” Zelmanov is happy to offer advice to his students but hopes they think independently and be responsible for their own choices.”
“There are problems that our generations thought about and are still not solved. If the next generations are going to solve them, they should do something differently,” Zelmanov said.
When the interview was coming to an end, Zelmanov said he would come to WLA Forum every year.
“I can fly from Shenzhen to Shanghai in just two hours, it’s very fast, he said cheerfully.
“Could you write something for Chinese students?” asked a reporter.
Zelmanov writes a message for Chinese students. （Photo provided to People’s Daily）.
“Of course!” he said, and then wrote down the following words:
Dear students,
Work hard and think independently.
Good luck!
E. Zelmanov
