On December 28th, the famous mathematician and Fields Metal winner Shing-Tung Yau, was invited to the university of Science and Technology of China (USTC). He delivered a wonderful speech with the topic of “The Existence of Black Holes under the Framework of General Relativity” in Forum of Great Minds. Academician BAO Xinhe, the president of USTC, together with nearly 2000 teachers and students attended this forum.

Academician BAO Xinhe first expressed the sincere thanks and warm welcome for Shing-Tung Yau’s visit. He highlighted that Forum of Great Minds can provide USTCers a precious platform to fulfill their understanding towards cutting-edge scientific and technological knowledge and extend their comprehension from the great masters’ course of struggle during their whole life.

During the forum, Shing-Tung Yau initially introduced the development of gravity theory from the period of Galileo to Newton, followed by the special theory of relativity developed by Einstein and Minkowski under the experimental evidence of constant light speed. He also talked about the general theory of relativity, developed after the introduction of the equivalence principle.

He expressed interest in general relativity, including his proof with Schoen of the conjecture that "the total mass in an isolated gravitational system is positive," and his closely cooperation work with physicists and astronomers.

In the interactive section, the attendants of USTC teachers and students actively asked questions about the academic theme of the forum and Yau’s scientific research experience. Shing-Tng Yau answered in detail patiently, enlightening and encouraging the teachers and students to explore for the unknown area further.

This is the second time that Shing-Tung Yau visited USTC and delivered speech on mathematics and physiology. President BAO sincerely invited Shing-Tung Yau as a regular guest of Forum of Great Minds USTC, aiming to encourage numerous students to climb to the top of science. At the end of this forum, president BAO Xinhe presented Mr. Yau with memorable certificate of Forum of great Minds.

( Written by WANG Jinhua, edited by LU Hongyu, English News Center)