Abu Dhabi, UAE: Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi hosted famous mathematician professor Cedric Villani in presence of HE Dr.Mougheer Khamis al Khaili, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council, on the margin of the closing ceremony of the Golden Age of Arab Sciences Exhibition. In his talk, Pr. Villani addressed applied mathematics and the role of Arabs in developing mathematics. He also presented some of his research work in analysis, probabilities, statistics, statistical mechanics, differential geometry, touching on his participation in a chapter of research on optimizing transportation at the Berkley Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI).
Pr. Eric Fouache, Vice Chancellor of Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, underlined that the exhibition succeeded in motivating youth in the UAE to be more innovative and participate in shaping a better future. He reiterated that the UAE is well equipped to reach a leading position in modern sciences and technological innovations, given the long history of innovations recorded in Islamic history, as well as the great renaissance the UAE is witnessing at present.
Pr. Fouache added saying that the large number of visitors who came to the exhibition ’The Golden Age of Arab Sciences’, namely students and the youth, indicated that the exhibition had realized its goal which aimed at highlighting the great advancement of sciences during what was known as the Golden age of Arab sciences. The exhibition showcased the contributions of Arabs and Muslims to science, and presented the various sciences of the Arab and Muslim world as well as and their development. The exhibition also demonstrated the various milestones of Arab sciences and the Arab Islamic Scientific heritage that crystalized at the hands of Muslim scientists during a productive period of human history from the VIII to the XV century.
Pr. Fouache indicated that Paris Sorbonne University – Abu Dhabi was keen on hosting Pr. Cedric Villani, mathematician, member of the Academy of Sciences and recipient of the Fields medal (the highest recognition in mathematics, considered to be the equivalent of the Nobel Prize), to demonstrate what Arabs and Muslims have brought to humanity, and how science built on their contributions to reach where it’s at today.
For his part, French mathematician Cedric Villani asserted that mathematics is the language of the universe, a means for reasonable people to understand each other. He said it was everywhere around us, in the most unexpected places. Mathematics justify and explain all that surrounds us. Without mathematics, we are unable to construct a building, design a plane or build an economy.
Villani addressed the role of Arab and Muslim scientists in developing mathematics, pointing to their huge contributions to mathematics bringing it to its current state. Indeed, the IX and X centuries are considered to be the Golden Age for Muslim mathematicians, to whom the world owes a lot, namely for preserving the ancient world scientific heritage and expanding it, in addition to their innovations, which the world was in dire need for at the time. He pointed to the contributions of many Arab and Muslim scientists in developing mathematics, including Abu Hassan al Nissawi and Abu al Haytham in geometry, as well as Al Khawarizmi, the most famous mathematician and astronomer of his age, and others who excelled in analytical geometry, algebra and trigonometry.
Villani demonstrated that in reality mathematics is the main structure of the history of our civilization, both on the philosophical and social levels. The history of mathematics is seen as the corner stone of the entire educational system. No other science acquired such a clear part of perfection. Interesting results were proven 2000 years ago using methods that remain valid until today. Villani pointed out that his work at present focused mainly on partial differential equations and mathematical physics.
It is worthy noting that PSUAD launched at the beginning of the academic year the Physics track in collaboration with Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris. An advanced international program that was developed specifically to prepare students in the multifaceted field of physics; an innovative diploma designed to equip graduates with the main scientific skills and a comprehensive knowledge of various principles of basic and applied physics needed to tackle the challenges of today’s world.
The Bachelors in physics comprises of a preparatory year and 3 years of studies in physics and mathematics delivered in English by the best specialized professors and researchers. The program covers modern themes in physics, mathematics, computer sciences, applied physics, experimental physics, as well as practical applications in technology labs. An overall experience that prepares students to acquire information in a dynamic way and benefit from the state of the art achievements which allows them later to join a Masters program in physics or engineering sciences.
© Press Release 2014
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