Molding the young minds of tomorrow

Although there is no one-size-fits-all answer to what constitutes good education and parenting, educators, parents and scholars have been trying to learn from well-known figures whose journeys can provide valuable lessons for the next generation.

My Views on Education, the latest book by mathematician Shing-Tung Yau, the first Chinese-born winner of the Fields Medal, the highest award in mathematics, is one such book. It contains a road map for educators, parents and policymakers seeking to redefine learning, and traces Yau's path from a humble upbringing in Hong Kong's rural Yuen Long area to becoming a global leader in mathematics.

"I believe a crucial perspective on education is allowing for natural development while nurturing children's interest. Education must be natural, and genuine interest must be nurtured," the 76-year-old professor at Tsinghua University said during a thought-provoking session at the National Library of China in Beijing on March 28.

The event is part of the library's Wenjin Yuexin reading promotion initiative, which seeks to integrate new, quality books with public education and advance reading culture around the country. Yau's reflections on learning, the importance of libraries, and his philosophy on nurturing young minds, drew people from various fields.

The professor argues that curiosity, not exam scores, should drive learning, and encourages students to explore freely, drawing from his own childhood habit of designing math problems for fun.

Published by the CITIC Press Group, the book interweaves his personal journey with reflections on education, and advocates for the cultivation of curiosity, independent thinking, and a deep appreciation for truth and beauty in learning. Yau is celebrated for solving the Calabi conjecture that plagued the mathematics community for many years, and for contributing to the positive mass theorem, which is part of general relativity.