On 04 September, the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS), in collaboration with the Vietnam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics (VIASM), held the opening ceremony of SEAMS School 2026, entitled “Applying Mathematics to Real-World Problems”.

The summer school brings together undergraduate students, postgraduate researchers and lecturers from a range of domestic and international training and research institutions, with teaching delivered by four distinguished experts: Dr Joaquim M. C. Correia of the Universidade de Évora, Portugal; Dr Timothy G. Myers of the Centre de Recerca Matemàtica, Spain; Dr Lê Thị Minh Thảo of the Center for Computational and Stochastic Mathematics, Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal; and Dr Gael Raoul of the Centre de Mathématiques Appliquées, École Polytechnique, France.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Associate Professor Trần Lê Quan, President of HCMUS, underlined the significance of bringing mathematics closer to real-world problems, and warmly commended the summer school as a forum through which researchers, lecturers and participants might exchange views on the practical application of mathematics and broaden research connections.

Running from 4 to 11 September, the summer school comprises four in-depth thematic modules led by the visiting experts, two invited talks, a round-table discussion, and a series of small-group project activities spanning idea development, implementation and the presentation of findings. In addition, participants will take part in a field excursion. The programme centres on applying mathematics to real-world problems through modelling, theory, numerical computation, scientific computing and simulation.

 

The summer school marks the inaugural step towards establishing, and subsequently maintaining on a regular basis, a Vietnamese model of research groups working in partnership with industry — a model comparable to those already established across Europe. Through this initiative, the programme creates a space in which researchers, training institutions and enterprises may discuss the role and potential of mathematics in addressing practical problems within industry and everyday life.

The initiative is hoped to generate a ripple effect across Southeast Asia, contributing to the formation of a regional network for industrial applied mathematics research. This direction accords with the National Key Programme for the Development of Mathematics 2021–2030 and with the Strategy for the Development of Science, Technology and Innovation to 2030 of Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, thereby fostering closer ties between training institutions, researchers and enterprises, and contributing to raising the standing of Vietnamese mathematics both regionally and internationally.