Chapter 29: Dr. Lin Ran Seminar Recruitment Notice
This recruitment notice was also published simultaneously in newspapers such as Overseas Chinese Daily, Industrial and Commercial Daily, South China Morning Post, and Ta Kung Pao.
Among the above newspapers, South China Morning Post was an English Newspaper at the time, so the following is the full recruitment notice excerpted from Ta Kung Pao:
“Hong Kong University Visiting Professor Dr. Lin Ran Seminar Recruitment Notice
Hong Kong University is honored to invite the internationally renowned mathematician Dr. Lin Ran to serve as Visiting Professor on campus, and has specially established a seminar, openly recruiting from all of Hong Kong. Dr. Lin is a mathematical giant of today, who independently completed the proof of Fermat’s Conjecture that has a history of over 300 years, and is the strongest candidate for the Fields Medal. His knowledge is profound and he is renowned globally. This seminar aims to impart cutting-edge mathematical knowledge to inspire young talents; the opportunity is rare, do not miss it.
The seminar plans to recruit fifty campers, with limited spots, selecting the best for admission. Anyone with a strong interest in mathematics, regardless of professional background, may apply to participate. However, they must pass the entrance examination specially set by this school to assess the campers’ academic foundation and potential. The examination content covers basic mathematics; details can be obtained from Hong Kong University Academic Affairs Office.
The registration deadline is June 15, 1960, and the examination is scheduled for June 25. Application Forms and seminar brochures can be obtained free of charge from Hong Kong University Academic Affairs Office or designated bookstores. The admission list will be published in this newspaper and on the campus bulletin board within five days after the examination.
Hong Kong University hopes that through this seminar, it can gather talents from all of Hong Kong, explore mathematical mysteries together with Dr. Lin Ran, promote academic exchange, and benefit society. Those with aspiration, please register quickly, do not hesitate!
Hong Kong University Academic Affairs Office respectfully announces
June 1, 1960”
In addition to Hong Kong University publishing news of Lin Ran’s upcoming visit in major mainstream newspapers, Hong Kong’s media also rushed to report on it.
After all, Hong Kong’s economy had not yet taken off at that time, and compared to the Oriental Pearl of the future, it was more like an obscure ordinary city.
A mathematician like Lin Ran, renowned globally, visiting Hong Kong was still very attractive to local media.
Traditional media like Ta Kung Pao still had more integrity, with serious titles and content:
“Dr. Lin Ran Arrives in Hong Kong to Lecture, Hong Kong University Seminar Inspires Students
This newspaper report (Reporter Li Zhiming)
Internationally renowned mathematician Dr. Lin Ran will arrive in Hong Kong on July 1, accept the position of Visiting Professor at Hong Kong University, and host a mathematics seminar openly recruiting from all of Hong Kong during July and August. This is a major event for Hong Kong academia and a clear proof of Chinese scientists shining on the international stage. Dr. Lin’s visit not only brings world-class mathematical wisdom but also provides a rare learning opportunity for Hong Kong’s young students, which is exciting.
Dr. Lin Ran, English name Randolph Lin, only twenty-two years old, has already shocked the academic world by successfully proving Fermat’s Conjecture with his extraordinary understanding of mathematics. His theoretical research is acclaimed by the mathematics community as the Randolph Program, overturning Western outdated concepts and showcasing the brilliance of Chinese wisdom.
On this visit to Hong Kong, Dr. Lin, at the invitation of Hong Kong University, will use his profound knowledge to offer a seminar lasting several months, covering the most cutting-edge mathematical theories, aiming to inspire students and promote scientific progress.
It is reported that the Hong Kong University seminar plans to recruit fifty cadets. Anyone aspiring in mathematics may apply, but must pass a rigorous examination for selective admission. This demonstrates Dr. Lin’s rigorous attitude toward academia and provides a stage for Hong Kong youth to showcase their talents. Registration details have been published in this newspaper and at Hong Kong University Academic Affairs Office. Dr. Lin stated that he hopes through this seminar to explore mathematical mysteries together with Hong Kong students and contribute bricks and tiles to humanity’s treasury of knowledge.
Details of the seminar, admission lists, and Dr. Lin’s subsequent visit to Hong Kong will be successively published by this newspaper; please follow our subsequent reports.”
Tabloids like The Daily News, however, had much less integrity:
“Lin Ran Stirs Up Hong Kong! Fermat’s Conjecture Prover Hong Kong University Seminar Opens Betting
International big shot Lin Ran is about to storm into Hong Kong! This math god, carrying a head full of formulas and a bunch of halos, is preparing to hold some seminar at Hong Kong University, reportedly grabbing 50 students into his ‘scientific harem.’ News broke and all of Hong Kong exploded—some say he’s here to show off since he doesn’t dare in the Mainland, others guess he wants to chase girls on Hong Kong Island; anyway, it’s lively!
Lin Ran proved Fermat’s Conjecture at a young age and apparently created some program named after himself, smashing foreign math theories to pieces. This time he’s coming to Hong Kong, claiming to teach and nurture talent with a seminar and exams to pick people, making it like a beauty pageant. Heard registration deadline is June 15, exam on June 25; those who want in better hurry and train their brains, or they won’t even touch the door.
Heard he said in America: ‘Hong Kong students are smart, I’m coming to help them open their minds.’ Sounds proper, but this reporter can’t help imagining: is this god eyeing the beauty of Hong Kong Women, using teaching as a pretext for a romantic encounter? After all, he’s been mixing in America, maybe he’s already honed a set of girl-chasing kung fu!
The seminar reportedly takes only 50 people; outstanding participants may be invited by him to enroll at Columbia University. For this, all Hong Kong students are going crazy—some are staying up late cramming books, others running to temples to burn incense begging Professor Lin to go easy. This newspaper learned that the class might cover number theory and elliptic equations, sounds dizzying; on this, a student declared: ‘If I don’t get in, I’ll jump into Victoria Harbour—who made my life so bitter to encounter this god!’
Some say he has private ties with Hong Kong University President, quotas already internally allocated, exam just a formality. The truth? This newspaper will keep digging for you to enjoy.
Lin Ran’s visit has Hong Kong streets boiling, uncles and aunties in tea houses starting to chat about ‘he’ll surely win the Fields Medal.’ Though uncles and aunties don’t even know what Fields is.
Let me tell you, Fields is the Nobel Prize of the mathematics community; Lin Ran is just like Yang Zhenning and Tsung-Dao Lee. Finally, this newspaper reminds everyone: to get into the seminar, first practice math well, or you can’t even fill the Application Form. After admission lists come out, this newspaper will report first-hand; stay tuned to see which lucky ones can hug Lin God’s thigh!”
Meanwhile, Chen Jingrun was still in Yangcheng across the sea making final preparations.
In a temporary cultural workshop, Chen Jingrun faced a cultural consultant named Miss Lin.
The other party was wearing a cheongsam, holding a book called Hong Kong Local Chronicles.
“Hong Kong people drink morning tea, love dim sum; you need to learn to use chopsticks to pick up siu mai, and know some British politeness—don’t forget to say ‘Thank you,’” Miss Lin said with a smile.
Chen Jingrun tried imitating a handshake; his movements throughout the training process were stiff like a puppet.
