Shiing-Shen Chern Mathematics ResearchInstitute, which was also named as NankaiMathematics Research Institute, was foundedin 1985 in Nankai University. It has cultivatedmany outstanding middle-aged and youngmathematicians. Through various kinds ofacademic activities, it has promoted the developmentof pure and applied mathematicsin China and improved China’s position in thefield of mathematics. It is well-known in Chinaand overseas.

Shiing-Shen Chern Mathematics Research Institutewas suggested and founded by the greatmathematician Shiing-Shen Chern, who wasalso the first manager until 1992. Prof. LongYiming, the academician of Chinese Academyof Sciences, is the incumbent manager of theinstitute. Nobel Prize winner Prof. Chen NingYang set up a Theoretical Physics Laboratoryin this institute with academician Ge Molin thedirector.

Shiing-Shen Chern Mathematics ResearchInstitute is open to Chinese and foreign mathematicians,in the hope of promoting the developmentof pure and applied mathematicsand cultivated high-level mathematic talentsin China. For 23 years, the principle of thisinstitute is “Based on Nankai, Open to Chinaand the world”. Through holding large-scaleacademic activities and exchange programs, theinstitution has generated a bunch of young andmiddle-aged mathematicians. It has grown intoa globally renowned research body and a hubfocusing on independent research and talentstraining. The research institute enhances China’sstatus in the global mathematics research arena.At present, there is an international-level researchgroup in the Institute, including threeacademicians from CAS, one academician fromthe Third World Academy of Sciences, fourchair professors and three course professorsfrom “Yangtze Scholars Program” of the Ministryof Education. This group has won plenty ofinternational and domestic reputation, awardsand grants because of its outstanding researchachievements, such as two mathematic awardsof the Third World Academy of Sciences, oneUNESCO Hussein Youth Scientist Awards, two45-minute-reporters in International Congressof Mathematicians, one second prize of NationalNatural Sciences Award, one first-prize ofChinese High School Natural Sciences Award,one first prize of National Natural SciencesAward nominated by the Ministry of Education,one first prize of “Yangtze Scholars AchievementAward”, one first prize of the Ho LeungHo Lee Scientific and Technological ProgressAward, two prizes of Shiing-Shen Chern MathematicsAward, five winners of Hong KongSeek Truth Fund Youth Scholar Award, six winners(4A+2B) of National Outstanding YouthFund, two cross-century talents, one nationalleveltalent of the first group of New CenturyHundred, Thousand, Million Talents Project.Among these prize winners, there are manychargers and participants of 973 projects ofNational Science and Technology Committeeas well as directors of key projects of NationalNatural Sciences Foundation.

Shiing-Shen Chern is great international mathematician,enjoying a good reputation aroundthe world. His specialty is differential geometry.He laid a solid foundation for overall differentialgeometry and made significant influenceto the development of mathematics and eventheoretical physics. What is more, he is also agreat educator. He engaged in mathematicsteaching for a long time and educated manyoutstanding mathematicians like Wu Wenjun,Qiu Chengtong and Yan Zhida who made greatcontribution to the mathematics education allroundthe world especially in China.

Shiing-Shen Chern was also a great patriot.He was always sincere to the nation and putforward “Shiing-Shen Chern Assumption” thatis “China will become a powerful mathematiccountry in the 21st century.” He made manysuggestions on opening to the outside world,developing sciences industries, as well as raisingand introducing the talented persons. Hepromoted Chinese-foreign academic communicationand cooperation, suggested InternationalMathematicians Conference holdingin China, as well as supported and instructedthe construction and development of InternationalMathematics Research Center of NankaiUniversity. He contributed his life to sciencesand education in China as well at the world andwon great achievements. He is worthy the reputationof great mathematic master all aroundthe world.