In the second week of August, while the nation was busy in dharna preparations, and the drawing room pundits, Facebook scholars and Twitter analysts were debating and busy insulting each other, the International Mathematical Union, announced the list of four mathematicians, under the age of 40, who were selected as the Fields Medalists for 2014. Fields Medal, the highest honour given to any mathematician, is considered by most as the mathematics equivalent of the Nobel Prize. In many ways, it is even more prestigious and competitive as the awardees have to be under the age of 40 (unlike Nobel prize which does not have any age limit) and is given once every four years. While the list of the scholars who received the award is deeply inspiring, this year is particularly special. Maryam Mirzakhani, a native of Iran (and currently a professor at Stanford University), who got her early education and her Bachelor’s in Iran, became the first woman and the first Iranian to win the Fields Medal.
The news of her award is thrilling not just for those who follow her work and are in awe of her contribution to the field, but millions of young women who have seen yet another barrier broken in a man’s world. To me she is the real star. I hope that her story of love for knowledge, her commitment to excellence and her persistence in the pursuit of inquiry will have a much more positive impact on the next generation than the hollow words of those ‘stars’ who are obsessed with nothing but a physical appearance.
In addition to the Fields Medal, the International Mathematical Union, also gives a few other high profile, highly competitive awards which while may be less well known, but are nonetheless extremely prestigious. One of the few awards, similar to the Fields Medal, given every four years is the Rolf Nevanlinna Prize. This prize is given, once again to scholar under 40, to a scholar for outstanding contributions in the mathematical aspects of information science. This year this honour went to Subash Khot, a native of India and currently a Professor at New York University.
The recognition of the work done by both Professors Mirzakhani and Khot is inspiring on two levels. It also leads to a major question for us in Pakistan. First, they are both from developing countries. These role models provide inspiration to many in the developing economies to pursue their dreams with full passion, no matter how abstract these dreams may seem. More importantly, both of these honorees are products of public education systems in their home countries. Public universities (Sharif University in the case of Maryam and IIT in the case of Subash) is where they received their bachelors and were molded to change the world. This is particularly important for Pakistan where education, particularly higher education, has all but disappeared from the national discourse. If it was ever on any map, we have long lost that map. Second, both Mirzakhani and Khot are recognised for contributions to a fundamental discipline. In a world obsessed with the coolest gadgets the throwback to basic questions is refreshing and a reminder to celebrate the beauty in knowledge and the wonder in nature.
As we celebrate the triumph of knowledge, we need to take note that countries on our either side, through a public education system, are able to produce and cultivate scholars of the highest calibre, who make a lasting and profound impact on our knowledge. We should ask, what is stopping us? Arguments about the size of India or the history of Iran are simply defeatist. Neither is there any external conspiracy against our education system. The real problem lies within us. It is our inability to recognise the pure value of education and champion its cause.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2014.
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@Seema: Ur right.
Mr. Abdus Salam is well respected in India as well. He is considered a top notch scientist who contributed immensely to Pakistan. I always thought that he might have been well respected with in his own country for his contributions. Very sadly, I came to know through the articles on this site that some extremist have the audacity to differentiate him as Ahmedi. I think, people of all religions and nationalities should learn from great personalities instead of diminishing their contribution. This is the way whole humanity learns and grows.
@Thotatum25 Manjul is of Indian descent but not a product of the Indian education system - I think the author wants to emphasize the value of the local system.
@Shehzad, no one is calling anyone stupid - but one has to understand and appreciate the value of knowledge and discovery. It is not about one versus the other, it is more about whether we do our best to create those who discover how the universe works. And please, Tennis and Football can not and should not be thought in the same vein as making impact as discovery of a new phenomenon.
Pakistan can. But then you made a fine example of Abdus Salam.
A good piece, just one little detail that you overlooked: along with Maryam, Manjul Bhargava of Princeton also won the Fields Medal for 2014. It was a good year, with both Manjul and Subash doing their country of birth proud.
take any company ..... branded company..... respond if u dont find any indian in top positions.....values are also important....
It's fine and praise-worthy, the awards that you mention, though there is no need to put down others who are praised because of their physical characteristics (Tennis/football) or those who invent cool gajids (the tablet that you may be drafting your thoughts on in order to share them with the world) - unless you want to call the entire world stupid and if that's the case, then we very well have our answer.