As an outstanding alumnus of the Talented Bachelor’s Class of 2003, an alumnus of the 2007 class, and the first valedictorian of the Master’s Programme in French-Vietnamese Applied Mathematics, Professor Phan Thành Nam held an engaging exchange session with students from the Talented Bachelor’s class and the Master’s programme in French-Vietnamese Applied Mathematics.

Professor Phan Thành Nam was the first Vietnamese recipient of the European Mathematical Prize in 2020. From 17th to 18th October, he delivered a lecture on “Semiclassical Approximation for Schrödinger Operators,” attended by over 80 students both in person and online. With his engaging, open, and interactive approach, he made this challenging topic more accessible to students passionate about mathematics.

During this event, he also conversed with the lecturers of the Faculty about various issues, including the teaching of University Mathematics in Germany, opportunities for collaboration with Faculty lecturers to teach an official module (with credits), and plans for co-instruction with Faculty lecturers in the near future.

At the event, he shared insights gained from Professor Dương Minh Đức: “You must attempt to prove the available theorems yourself; 99% of you will likely struggle. When you cannot prove a theorem, you will begin to understand where the difficulties lie. By isolating these challenging points, you can identify the new aspects that differentiate this theorem from previously established ones. Once you recognise the tough points and subsequently read the proof, you will grasp the new techniques involved in the theorem. Studying in this manner allows you to see that there are very few techniques in mathematics that are frequently applied; new techniques are rare. This approach enhances your comprehension of the underlying ideas. The more you study, the less memorisation is necessary because the concepts are interconnected.”

Through his practical experiences, Professor Nam instilled confidence and great motivation in the students, encouraging them to pursue their chosen paths with determination.

Additionally, he elaborated on other thoughts: “The foundational Mathematics you have studied at the Faculty is sufficient for you to continue your studies in Mathematics abroad. The Talented Bachelor Programme at the Faculty is one of the most successful programmes, producing many outstanding students each year. The French-Vietnamese Master of Applied Mathematics programme is highly regarded; students can obtain a Master’s degree awarded by a French university, which is recognised throughout Europe, in just one year. With this qualification, students can easily apply for doctoral scholarships at universities in Europe, alongside scholarships offered by French institutions.”

Finally, the Professor reminded his junior colleagues, “The most important qualities in research and advanced study are stubbornness, persistence, and a willingness to face failure frequently. However, it is essential to maintain composure to achieve success.”