The Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at University of Science, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City has long been regarded as a cornerstone of mathematical training in southern Vietnam, producing generations of scholars who now contribute to academia around the world.

Its origins trace back to the late 1950s, when the Faculty of Mathematics was established at the former Saigon University of Science, laying the groundwork for formal mathematical education and research. By the 1980s, the institution marked a significant milestone with the successful defense of its first doctoral dissertation in mathematics. In the early 1990s, it expanded further with the introduction of a master’s program to meet growing demand for highly qualified specialists.

A major transformation came in 1995, when part of the faculty split to form the Information Technology Faculty, reflecting the rapid rise of computing. The remaining unit was officially renamed the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, opening a new chapter that integrated mathematical theory with computational applications.

Over the decades, the faculty has steadily strengthened its role in research, training and knowledge transfer, supplying high-quality human resources both domestically and internationally. As part of one of Vietnam’s leading higher education institutions, it continues to aim for recognition as a top national center for mathematics and computer science.

At a recent academic conference, Dang Duc Trong highlighted a long list of alumni now working abroad, including Nguyen Cong Phuc, Hoang Thach Luan, Phan Van Tuoc, Nguyen Hoai Minh, Le Long Trieu, Nguyen Hoang Loc, Nguyen Trong Toan, Le Quang Nam, Nguyen Le Luc, Truong Trung Tuyen, Tong Viet Phi Hung, Nguyen Duc Duy, Tran Vinh Hung, Nguyen Tien Khai, Phan Thanh Nam, Tran Minh Binh, Nguyen Quang Thang, Dinh Duy Cao, Thien Vu, Ho Si Tung Lam, Nguyen Quang Huy, Nguyen Quoc Hung, Nguyen Thi Hoang Oanh, Ho Pham Minh Nhat and Nguyen Tien Trinh.

Among them, four stand out as prominent professors on the global stage: Phan Thanh Nam, Nguyen Trong Toan, Nguyen Hoai Minh and Nguyen Cong Phuc.

Phan Thanh Nam graduated in mathematics in 2007 before pursuing postgraduate studies in France and earning his doctorate in Denmark. He later conducted postdoctoral research across Europe, including in France, Austria and the Czech Republic. Since 2017, he has served as a professor at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, focusing on mathematical physics, quantum mechanics and analysis.

In 2020, he was awarded the EMS Prize by the European Mathematical Society, one of the most prestigious honors in the field, granted every four years to outstanding mathematicians under 35. He is the first Vietnamese recipient, recognized for his contributions to many-body quantum mechanics, spectral analysis and partial differential equations.

Nguyen Trong Toan, a member of the first cohort (1998) of the faculty’s elite bachelor’s program, has also built a distinguished international career. He is currently a professor at Penn State University, specializing in analysis, partial differential equations and fluid mechanics. His work bridges abstract mathematical theory with complex physical phenomena.

He has received awards from the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, recognizing mid-career researchers for outstanding contributions to nonlinear wave studies. Notably, his 2016 research provided a mathematical foundation for the phenomenon of “viscous destabilization,” previously observed only through experiments. His academic achievements are further underscored by prestigious fellowships from the American Mathematical Society in 2018 and the Simons Foundation in 2019.

Nguyen Hoai Minh, who studied at the faculty from 1997 and graduated in 2000, is now based at Sorbonne University in Paris. Speaking recently at a conference on teaching mathematics in the technological era, he noted that artificial intelligence is reshaping both learning and research, making mathematics more accessible and personalized. However, he emphasized that students must not become dependent on AI, and should instead cultivate the ability to ask questions and critically evaluate solutions.

He also stressed the need to modernize curricula in line with technological demands, particularly in areas such as probability, linear algebra and optimization, while preserving strong foundational knowledge to ensure long-term adaptability. In teaching, he advocated for greater interaction, personalized learning and updated assessment methods suited to the AI era, noting that the role of educators and policy frameworks remains decisive.

Nguyen Cong Phuc, another distinguished alumnus who graduated in 1997, is currently a professor at Louisiana State University.

From its early beginnings to its current global reach, the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science continues to affirm its role as a key training ground, shaping generations of Vietnamese mathematicians who carry their expertise far beyond national borders.

Le Huyen