Ngo Bao Chau

Ngo Bao Chau is a world-renowned Vietnamese mathematician, most notably the first Vietnamese recipient of the Fields Medal in 2010. He is currently a distinguished service professor and chair of the mathematics department at the University of Chicago. He is newsworthy due to his recent decision to leave the US and join the University of Hong Kong (HKU) as a chair professor in June. This move is driven by his desire to contribute to the growth of mathematics and science in Asia, aiming to transform the region into a global powerhouse in these fields. He cited a worsening academic environment in the US as a contributing factor to his decision. His appointment at HKU is significant as it highlights the growing prominence of Asian institutions in attracting top academic talent and reflects a broader trend of shifting global centers of scientific and mathematical excellence.