On the morning of 4th December, the Institute for Advanced Study of Mathematics, in collaboration with VNUHCM-University of Science and the Department of Education and Training in Ho Chi Minh City, successfully organised a Math Open Day themed “Mathematics Unites,” attracting over 2000 students.

The event was a series of open activities focused on Maths and STEM, aimed at creating opportunities for a diverse range of students, parents, mathematicians, and educators to engage with one another, all in pursuit of the sustainable development of mathematics in Viet Nam. Initially held in Ha Noi in 2015, the event had expanded to many provinces across the country. This year’s event was hosted by the Faculty of Mathematics – Informatics of the University, which is one of three faculties prioritising the development of the Vietnamese Mathematics programme from 2021 to 2030. Furthermore, the programme received support from higher education institutions that provide mathematics education, as well as high schools and organisations dedicated to maths and STEM training.

In his speech, Professor Ngô Bảo Châu, Director of Science at the Institute for Advanced Study of Mathematics, outlined the developmental stages of the Open Mathematics Festival over the years.

“We hoped that teachers and students would gain a more vivid and distinct perspective during the process of teaching and learning mathematics,” Professor Châu emphasised his expectations.

Mr. Nguyễn Bảo Quốc, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, also highlighted that the day’s event would promote further mathematics education programmes in the city. He expressed his hope that high schools would collaborate with the Department to ignite students’ passion for mathematics, encouraging them to apply it to practical problem-solving.

As the host, Assoc. Prof. Trần Minh Triết, Vice-President of the University, shared happily: “In the spirit of the Festival of Mathematics United, this represents an opportunity for parents, students, teachers, schools, institutes, organisations, enterprises, and generations to connect. Today, I had the chance to meet my teachers and their younger counterparts, and I hope this event will contribute to fostering the younger generation’s passion for mathematics.”

In addition to the introduction, the programme featured a thematic lecture by Mr. Phí Anh Tuấn, Director of P.A.T Consulting and USAID – IPSC expert. In his talk, Mr. Phí discussed the real challenges faced by enterprises regarding supply chain issues, emphasising that the market continues to urgently need quality human resources from mathematics students to devise more optimal solutions.

“The most important aspect of learning mathematics is to cultivate a systematic mindset,” Mr. Phí remarked.

The talk show session, entitled “Why Does the Logistics Industry Need Mathematics?” included presentations from four guests: Professor Ngô Bảo Châu, Mr. Phí Anh Tuấn, Mr. Nguyễn Anh Nguyên (Deputy General Director of AA Corporation), and Dr. Trần Nam Dũng (Vice Principal of the High School for the Gifted, VNU-HCM). This session featured lively discussions on themes surrounding the nature of maths learning and the human resource challenges within the logistics and supply chain sectors.

Many individuals working in optimisation recognised a need for a deeper connection to real-world problems. Professor Ngô expressed his concerns, stating, “What we need to do is connect with business practices to enhance the current mathematics training programmes.”

“In reality, there are numerous mathematics lessons that can contribute to addressing real-life problems, such as linear programming, calculus, linear algebra, and discrete mathematics—all essential for data analysis and addressing optimisation challenges,” Dr. Trần Nam Dũng explained the concerns surrounding the applicability of mathematics in current training programmes.

Mr. Nguyễn Anh Nguyên shared his insights about the value of high-quality human resources in logistics: “In the broader context of business, roles related to supply chain planning often yield higher incomes. For instance, in the supermarket industry, a crucial indicator for the sustainability of supermarkets is the profit derived from internal logistics operations, and those involved in this phase can earn significantly higher wages, potentially reaching a million dollars annually.”

At the conclusion of the programme, the guests encouraged students to engage in their studies diligently, advising against rushing and instead urging them to deepen their professional knowledge. They recommended that students seek experiences and practice within organisations and businesses while still at university, noting that the ability to learn at university forms the foundational principle for future success.

Images were captured during the festival: