Hoàng Xuân Sính facts for kids

Hoàng Xuân Sính is a famous Vietnamese mathematician. She was born on September 8, 1933. She is known for being the first female mathematics professor in Vietnam. She also started the first private university in Vietnam, called Thang Long University.

Early Life and Education

Hoàng Xuân Sính grew up in Cót, Vietnam. She was one of seven children. Her father was a fabric merchant. When she was eight, her mother passed away, and her stepmother raised her.

She finished her first university degree in Hanoi in 1951. There, she studied English and French. After that, she went to Paris, France, to study mathematics. She earned another degree in mathematics from the University of Toulouse in 1959.

After her studies in France, she returned to Vietnam. She became a mathematics teacher at the Hanoi National University of Education. At that time, she was one of the few mathematicians in Vietnam who had studied abroad. She also became the first female mathematics professor in Vietnam.

Studying with Alexander Grothendieck

In 1967, a famous French mathematician named Alexander Grothendieck visited North Vietnam. This was during the Vietnam War. He spent a month teaching math to the staff at Hanoi University. Hoàng Xuân Sính was one of his students and took notes for his lectures.

Because of the war, Grothendieck's classes were held outside of Hanoi. After he went back to France, he continued to teach Hoàng Xuân Sính through letters. She earned her doctorate degree in 1975 from Paris Diderot University. Her research was about special math structures called "2-groups."

Later Achievements and Recognition

Hoàng Xuân Sính made history when she became a full professor. She was the first woman in Vietnam to become a full professor in any science or technical field.

In 1988, she founded Thang Long University in Hanoi. This was the first private university in Vietnam. She became the president of its board of directors.

In 2003, France honored her with the Ordre des Palmes Académiques award. This award recognized her efforts to improve cooperation in culture and science between France and Vietnam.