Tsinghua math talent rivals top US peers, Yau says

World-renowned mathematician Shing-Tung Yau has praised Tsinghua University's special mathematics talent program, stating that it has "exceeded expectations", and that its students have "outperformed peers from top US universities in a prestigious competition".

In a recent exclusive interview with China Daily, Yau also called for a fundamental shift in the Chinese education system — from relentless exam preparation to nurturing genuine innovation.

Yau, a winner of the Fields Medal, which is regarded as the highest honor in mathematics, and dean of Tsinghua's Qiuzhen College, an institution dedicated to cultivating mathematics talent, highlighted the latest achievement of the Yau Mathematical Sciences Leaders Program, which was launched in October 2020 with the approval of the central authorities.

The program selects about 100 secondary school students nationwide each year, exempting them from the national college entrance exam, or gaokao, for an eight-year integrated bachelor's-to-PhD track.

"We are in our fifth year, with nearly 800 students in Qiuzhen College. Their performance has surpassed my expectations," Yau said. He highlighted the results of the Putnam Competition — a renowned and exceptionally challenging undergraduate mathematics contest held in the United States — where since 2022, Tsinghua students have performed on par with students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and fared better than students of other leading US universities.

Beyond competitions, Yau emphasized the program's interdisciplinary cultivation model. Students engage not only in mathematics and physics but also in artificial intelligence, biology and humanities. They visit historical sites to develop a sense of cultural belonging. Some of them have even written reflective travel notes in classical Chinese. "We aim to cultivate innovative and interdisciplinary talent with passion, not narrow specialists," Yau noted.

Youth development

The mathematician has also spearheaded the establishment of more than 50 Shing-Tung Yau Junior Classes across China, a youth program for gifted middle school students, enrolling about 3,000 students from age 12 each year. These classes focus on "learning, not drilling", aiming to inspire early interest in foundational science. "Many great mathematicians in history displayed talent from ages 12 or 13. We must guide them with real scholarship, not just exam prep," Yau stressed.

Commenting on the well-being of young students, Yau said the group-based admissions involving dozens of children from similar age groups help prevent loneliness and psychological pressure. They are supported and tutored by undergraduate and postdoctoral students, creating a healthy, collaborative environment, he said.

However, Yau does acknowledge challenges, particularly as more Leaders Program students advance to postgraduate studies.

"Their undergraduate training is strong. The real test is whether our students can produce world-leading research," he said, adding that this requires more top-tier scholars to guide them.

The Qiuzhen College has some of the best mathematicians in the world as chair professors, such as Fields Medalist Caucher Birkar and top symplectic geometry scholar Kenji Fukaya. "But we need more of them to guide our students to do research and write first-tier papers," Yau said.

Their research papers can already be considered excellent, but to determine whether they have reached the absolute top tier that could have international impacts takes time and effort, he said.

"What I mean by that is the ability to produce work that changes the tides of mathematics, like Shiingshen Chern. I should say, among Chinese scholars, such figures are rare. There are many outstanding Chinese researchers, but how many have truly been able to drive transformative shifts in mathematics? It is our hope that the students of Qiuzhen College will ultimately rise to that level."

Talking about the drawbacks of exam-oriented training, Yau said drill-and-practice is not a traditional method. It has grown over the past 20 years with the rise of the tutoring businesses. "We want students to focus on important problems that can change the related field — not small exercises solvable in an hour."

Yau was optimistic about the employability of math graduates. "With strong government support for basic science, there is high demand for doctorate holders in universities and industries." He urged young scholars not to chase "quick fame or hats" (professional titles) and instead "engage deeply with their field — success will follow".

"The sad truth is that many young scholars want to seek quick success and they want to be successful in three years through connections, rather than putting in efforts for 10 years," Yau said.

They should just enjoy the fun of math and be open to cooperation. That way they can grow and achieve great results, he said.

Humanities matter

Yau also defended the role of humanities in science education. "Great science grows from rich cultural soil. Literature, history and philosophy nurture the perspective and emotional depth that computers cannot replicate," he said.

Regarding the role of humanities in the age of AI, he said AI models can synthesize historical poetry and literature to produce well-written texts, but they cannot cultivate genuine personal emotion.

What literature and culture contribute to mathematics and science is largely emotional and perspectival.

"I write poems myself. When I feel inspired, I write. What I write may not be as polished as AI-generated work, but it is my own feeling, expressed in my own words. That kind of personal resonance is something only a human can experience. AI cannot truly hear or feel it."

When asked how to measure the success of the program, Yau said: "With solid backing, I believe our students can produce work that changes the direction of mathematics. That is our real goal: to cultivate thinkers, not just exam takers."