August 2007

I start with a question: what do compact fluorescent lights, flocking scooters and applied mathematics have to do with each other? Answer, I’m not really sure, but I just experienced them all in Vietnam!

Since Vietnam is moving to the world stage and education is increasingly a priority for its government, some reform may be needed. About a year ago, the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) presented a report to the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) ( see, http://home.vef.gov/ for a more complete description of the mission of the VEF).  In the report three undergraduate academic programs were critiqued: Computer Sciences, Electrical Engineering and Physics. And while Applied Mathematics was not specifically mentioned in the report any reform of education in Vietnam that involves undergraduate education of science, engineering and technology students will intersect the mathematical sciences, and especially applied mathematics. I find the prospects of students in Vietnam learning the tools, methods and strategies of applied mathematics very exciting! 

The NAS/VEF report identified five areas where change in the educational infrastructure might be warranted.  They are:

·        Undergraduate teaching and learning;

·        Undergraduate curriculum and courses;

·        Instructors;

·        Graduate education and research;

·        Assessment of student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness.

These are also among the same areas of concern that we, in the Department of Applied Mathematics at the University of Colorado at Boulder has as we prepare our students for a bright future and also transform our own educational enterprise for the new set of learners and the new century. Having a discussion could prove very fruitful.

And while the mathematical sciences and specifically applied mathematics was not explicitly mentioned in the NAS/VEF report, there are signs of interest among the community of Mathematical Scientists in Vietnam in the five areas mentioned in the report. For example, although students and faculty were on summer break during my recent visit, my seminars in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City were well attended.  In addition, animated discussions and questions from both the faculty and students followed both seminars. Further, the students seemingly had fun with the “toys” that demonstrated some of the linear algebra concepts and research that Brad Klingenberg and Anne Dougherty and I have been engaged in over the past couple of years.

Also, as evidence surfaced of the interest in making additional connections to the mathematical sciences in the States, I had the opportunity to chat with Professor Dr. Pham Ky Ahn, who I met on my previous visit, in 2005, and his colleagues.  Dr. Ahn is also the Director of Hanoi University of Science’s Center for High Performance Computing (HPC). And, as expected, Dr. Ahn has students and colleagues working with their two IBM parallel processors. A large application of general interest was a simulation of local weather.

And in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) I was invited to give a second lecture by Prof. To Anh Dung, Dean of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Natural Sciences of the National University of Hochiminh City and was hosted by Professor Duong Minh Duc of the Ho Chi Minh University of Natural Sciences. Professor Duc, an Analysis by training, had a strong interest in developing Applied Mathematics in Vietnam. And, after the well-attended lecture, where the students again played with some math “toys,” and discussed linear algebra, we had a fun discussion at lunch. I’d like to express sincere thanks to Professor Duc for being an excellent host, and for his comments and infectious attitude about the future of Applied Mathematics in Vietnam.

On a more personal note, in addition to meeting world-class mathematicians, I participated in official functions, tours, including one to Halong Bay, which was beautiful to see again, and had been discovered by many visitors; and the Mekong Delta, the great “red” river of Vietnam that seemed to extend and extend. While on the Delta we toured a business that makes puffed rice treats, very delicious!

I began this essay with a question about compact fluorescent lights, flocking scooters and applied mathematics. Well, I spent much of this essay talking about education in general and applied mathematics more specifically.  When I last visited Vietnam, a couple of years ago, I was impressed by the number of folks who were moving all kinds items, such as food, durable goods, etc around on bicycles, motor scooters or heavier modes of transportation. However, in 2007 I was even more impressed by the number of fast motor scooters. And as the motor scooters moved about on the streets, and negotiated traffic circles, I was constantly reminded of flocks of birds. The scooters were moving about with precision and intent. Then, as I went about in Vietnam, I began to notice the compact fluorescent lights in many businesses. At first I didn’t think much about them, but they were “everywhere.” But, again, there was precision and intent in moving to a future of compact fluorescent lighting.

Finally, I suspect that the Vietnamese, when they decide to transform their educational infrastructure will do so with the same precision and intent that they show as they move about on the world stage. I believe that applied mathematics has an important role to play in any transformation as they continue to modify, develop and transform their science, technology, education, and engineering infrastructure.

During my visit, I took some photos and captured some video.

Vietnam 2007 Summer Visit Photos