Yau Chengtong, the name always seems to carry an aura and controversy in academic circles. The tenured professor at Harvard University is known not only for his outspokenness, but also for his scathing criticism of the Chinese mathematical community.
In 2005, Yau was already a hugely influential figure in the field of mathematics, not only because of his academic achievements, but also because of his deep involvement in and contribution to the Chinese mathematics education and academic environment.
As a disciple of Chern, Yau had already made a name for himself internationally, especially at the age of 34, when he won the Fields Medal, the highest honor in mathematics, and his academic career can be said to have reached its peak.
It was such an academic giant that in 2005 there was an unprecedented public conflict with Peking University. It all started with Yau's public criticism of the current state of mathematics at Peking University and in China as a whole.
He was unsparing in pointing out that many of the so-called "overseas talent introduction programs" were in fact an illusion of superficial prosperity. He stressed that many of the projects advertise the introduction of international experts, who are simply not able to serve full-time at domestic universities, as their positions abroad require them to stay in their home countries most of the time.
What is even more shocking is that Yau Chengtong publicly accused a certain mathematics professor at Peking University of not doing things with a high salary, and even pointed out that the other party plagiarized his research results.
Faced with reporters' questioning, Yau Chengtong took out a large number of documents as evidence to show that his accusations were not groundless. This direct and sharp accusation has caused huge waves in the academic community.
In the days that followed, the controversy showed no signs of subsided. Yau Chengtong insisted on his position, repeatedly emphasizing that the reason why he was able to insist on saying these unacceptable words was precisely because his academic achievements gave him enough confidence.
He mentioned that if it weren't for his Fields Medal glory, he might have been crushed by the counter-attacks and pressure of his opponents.
The incident also sparked a wide discussion about higher education and academic integrity in China. Why would a scholar as powerful as Yau have such a fierce conflict with China's leading academic institutions? Does this expose some fundamental problems in China's academic circles?
The climax of the incident occurred when Yau Chengtong was interviewed by an international media outlet, in which he exposed in detail the contradictions and disputes between himself and some professors at Peking University.
He pointed out that these professors use their position in the academic community to carry out academic hegemony and resource monopoly, ignoring the essence of academic research and education. Yau's remarks once again sparked strong repercussions at home and abroad, with supporters praising his courage and critics accusing him of undermining harmony in the academic world.
In the months that followed, the controversy seemed to become an irreconcilable opposite. For Yau, this is not only a battle of personal honor, but also a battle of academic integrity and educational value.
He has continued to elaborate his views in different lectures and interviews in an attempt to draw more attention to the improvement of China's academic environment.
Despite the tremendous pressure and criticism, Yau did not back down. He understands that as an internationally recognized scholar, his words will have a greater impact.
He hopes that through his example, more scholars and students will dare to express their true opinions, not afraid of power and pressure, and truly "die rather than live in silence".
Yau also criticized the way some academic institutions operate, arguing that they are too commercial and ignore the true meaning and value of academic research. He pointed out that true academic research should be free exploration, a relentless pursuit of knowledge, and should not be influenced by money and power.
Yau's persistence and courage inspired a deep reflection on academic freedom and integrity. Although his actions caused dissatisfaction and opposition from some people, he also won the respect and support of many young scholars and students. They began to pay more attention to the essence of academics and think about how to maintain a fair and healthy academic environment while pursuing academic excellence.
Although this debate on academic integrity and freedom began as a conflict between individuals and institutions, its far-reaching impact and implications will continue to ferment in the academic community in China and around the world. Yau's experience is not only a case study, but also a point of discussion on how to uphold principles and truth in the modern education system.