Things ‘I do not like’ drove me to quit US for Hong Kong: top mathematician Ngo Bao Chau
Top mathematician cites 'things I do not like' in US, aims to make Asia a global intellectual powerhouse.
In a significant move for global academia, Fields Medalist Ngo Bao Chau has announced his departure from the United States to join the University of Hong Kong. The Vietnamese mathematician, a professor at the University of Chicago since 2010, stated his decision was driven by "many things that I do not like" happening in the US academic environment, coupled with a powerful vision to help Asia become a leading intellectual center.
Ngo, the first Vietnamese recipient of the prestigious Fields Medal (often called the 'Nobel Prize of Mathematics'), explicitly framed his move as a mission. "I want Asia to be the next America or the next Europe [as] a place where science and mathematics strive," he said. He believes Asia and China have a unique opportunity to grow into top global destinations for scientific discovery and is eager to participate directly in that transformation, starting from his new base in Hong Kong this June.
- Fields Medalist Ngo Bao Chau is leaving the University of Chicago for the University of Hong Kong in June 2026.
- He cited a deteriorating academic environment in the US and a personal vision to make Asia a global science powerhouse.
- Ngo aims to leverage what he sees as a 'unique opportunity' for Asia to become a top destination for mathematics and scientific discovery.
Why It Matters
This high-profile move signals a potential shift in global scientific talent and prestige from traditional Western hubs to rising Asian institutions.