The recent bestowal of the prestigious Fields Medals upon Ukrainian mathematician Maryna Viazovska and three other honorees has placed the international mathematical community in the spotlight. Often dubbed the ‘Nobel Prize of Mathematics,’ the Fields Medal is a distinguished award presented to accomplished young mathematicians advancing the field.
Understanding the Fields Medal and Its Significance
The Fields Medal, awarded every four years, recognizes one or more mathematicians under the age of 40 for their exceptional contributions to the discipline. This prestigious recognition is conferred during the International Congress of the International Mathematical Union (IMU), a non-profit, non-governmental organization aimed at fostering international collaboration in mathematical research.
The purpose behind offering the Fields Medal is twofold: to acknowledge outstanding existing mathematical work and to inspire promising achievement in the future. The selection committee responsible for determining the recipients is appointed by the Executive Committee of the IMU, with the IMU President often presiding over the committee.
A Glimpse Into the History of the Fields Medal
The inception of the Fields Medal dates back to the 1924 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) held in Toronto where a resolution was passed to award two gold medals at each congress in recognition of exceptional mathematical achievements. Prof J C Fields, a Canadian Mathematician and the secretary of the 1924 Congress, bequeathed funds to establish these medals, which were eventually named after him.
In 1966, considering the rapid expansion of mathematical research, it was decided that up to four medals could be awarded at each congress. The first Fields Medal was handed out in 1936, marking a new tradition in celebrating excellence in the field of mathematics.
Indian-Origin Laureates of the Fields Medal
Since the commencement of the Fields Medal in 1936, over 60 mathematicians have been honored with this recognition. From the list of recipients, two individuals of Indian origin have distinguished themselves through their extraordinary work and accomplishments.
The first is Akshay Venkatesh, a scholar affiliated with the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, who received the award in 2018. Following him was Manjul Bhargava from the Department of Mathematics at Princeton University, who secured the honor in 2014.
As we uphold and cherish the remarkable achievements represented by the Fields Medal, we also anticipate the future contributions that will continue to shape the world of mathematics, ultimately portraying the limitless possibilities of human potential.