School of Mathematical Sciences, Shenzhen University

The 40th Liyuan Distinguished Scholars Lecture and Innovation Leadership Lecture

Title: From Childhood in Shanghai to the Hall of Mathematics: My Journey

Speaker: Roderick Wong (Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada)

Time: 10:30-11:30, May 25, 2026, 10:30–11:30

Venue: Lecture Hall 3, Huixing Building, Yuehai Campus, Shenzhen University

Abstract: Born and raised in Shanghai, I completed my secondary education in Hong Kong before traveling to California, USA, to pursue my undergraduate degree. I then went on to Canada to earn my Ph.D. and began my career in higher education and research there. After nearly twenty-five years of working and living in Canada, I returned to Hong Kong to join City University of Hong Kong, where I took on multiple roles in mathematics department development, research, and university administration, spending nearly another twenty-five years at the university. Upon retirement, I returned to Canada once more to embark on a new chapter of my life.

Drawing on my personal experiences as a “veteran mathematician,” I will share with you the twists and turns of my academic and professional journey across China, the United States, Canada, and Hong Kong. I will discuss how I maintained my interest and passion for mathematics amidst diverse cultures and systems, how I balanced research with university administration, and the reflections and lessons learned from pivotal life decisions. I will also share some interesting stories and insights from my work in mathematical research and university development. Drawing on my own experiences, I look forward to discussing with you how to plan your academic and professional paths, and how to navigate moments of uncertainty and seize opportunities, in the hope of offering some inspiration and food for thought for your future journeys.

Speaker Profile: An internationally recognized scholar, Prof. Wong is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (1993) and a member of the Academy of Sciences of Turin (2001) and the European Academy of Sciences (2007). Among his many honors, he received the Kilam Research Fellowship (1982–1984), the Rh Award (1984), the French Chevalier dans l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur (2004), and an honorary doctorate from Ovidius University, Romania (2008).

Faculty and students are welcome to attend!

School of Mathematical Sciences

May 18, 2026