Student chosen by Fields Medalist Ngo Bao Chau for top scholarship sees math as foundation of science

Detailed summary

A university freshman majoring in mathematics who discovered her passion for the subject in high school has impressed Ngo Bao Chau, Vietnam's only Fields Medal recipient, enough to be awarded the country's top math scholarship.

Phan Hai An is one of nine students in the inaugural cohort to receive the Sigma Gold scholarship. She secured the award after passing a rigorous interview with Chau and his colleagues.

An is attending the Honors Bachelor's Program in Mathematics at the University of Science, under Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.

The scholarship is funded by the Vietnam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics (VIASM), where Chau serves as Scientific Director.

Phan Hai An, one of the recipients of the 2026 Sigma Gold Mathematics Scholarship. Photo courtesy of An

Opening of the article, excerpted from VnExpress International. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.