Summary of Key Points
Alumni from Peking University, Wang Hong and Deng Yu, have been awarded the Fields Medal, the highest honor in mathematics, which is a great honor for their alma mater. However, there are opinions online suggesting that Peking University hindered their development, even accompanied by rumors. The author clarifies these claims by examining Wang Hong's actual experiences (such as the process of changing her major, the sources of her recommendation letters, and changes in her academic performance), and comparing them with the case of Terence Tao. It is shown that Peking University not only did not hold them back but provided a fertile environment for their growth; the online criticisms are largely unfounded and based on misinformed assumptions.
Detailed Analysis
1. Why is Peking University criticized despite the awards? — The double standard of public opinion and excessive criticism
It would seem natural for an alma mater to benefit from its alumni winning major awards, but domestic public opinion has taken a different turn: some people are nitpicking at Wang Hong and Deng Yu's past, trying to find faults with Peking University, while praising institutions like the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Paris (EPF) and MIT as having perfect systems, and only demanding reflection from Peking University.
In reality, all three of these institutions were seeing their first alumni win the Fields Medal. Peking University does not have as strong a mathematics tradition as the latter two (which can recruit top talents from around the world), so it is already remarkable that its alumni achieved such success. However, public opinion ignores these facts and accuses Peking University of hindering talent development. Even incidents like someone impersonating Wang Hong on social media last year and this year’s rumors have gone unaddressed, with criticism targeting Peking University alone, which clearly exceeds reasonable limits.
2. The rumor about recommendation letters: It was a normal procedure to ask teachers from the Department of Geodesy and Astronomy for recommendations
Is there a rumor that Wang Hong asked teachers from this department for recommendation letters because her mathematics department did not support her? The truth is:
Wang Hong was in the Department of Geodesy and Astronomy during her first year and wanted to switch to the mathematics department. Peking University has a rule that only the top 20% of students in that department are allowed to transfer. Therefore, she had to excel in her courses there (to make it into the top 20%) while also studying mathematics courses, which put her under more pressure than other students. Asking teachers from Geodesy and Astronomy for recommendations was entirely reasonable to demonstrate her performance and experiences during her first year.
Moreover, three teachers from the mathematics department wrote recommendation letters for her: Wang Lizhong (with whom she conducted research on finite groups and achieved excellent grades), Tian Qingchun (a mentor from Peking University’s “golden generation” who wrote recommendations for Yuan Xinyi and Zhang Wei), and Wang Fuzheng—all experts in algebraic number theory. It was natural for her to seek their help since she intended to pursue a career in that field in France. Her later switch to analysis after moving abroad does not mean the previous recommendation letters were inappropriate.
3. Academic performance and graduate school recommendations: She didn’t lack qualifications; she chose to study abroad
Some claim that Wang Hong’s academic performance was mediocre, preventing her from getting recommended for graduate studies. The author clarifies:
Her grades were indeed average at first, but through hard work, they improved by her senior year, and she was recognized as an outstanding graduate (including for both bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees). As for graduate school recommendations, she chose to study abroad, which automatically excluded her from the regular recommendation process—she couldn’t occupy both spots. This was a personal decision, not a lack of qualifications.
4. What did Peking University provide for her? — Opportunities and a foundation for growth
Peking University played a crucial role in Wang Hong’s success:
- Opportunities to transfer departments: Peking University allows cross-departmental transfers with strict requirements (top 20% in the original department), and she met these criteria through her efforts.
- Teacher guidance: Wang Lizhong guided her in research, Tian Qingchun wrote recommendation letters for her, and Teacher Song Chunwei even kept her assignments from 20 years ago as evidence of her dedication.
- Foundation in mathematics: The mathematical foundation she gained at Peking University was essential for her further studies in France.
Without these supports, she might not have had the opportunity to study abroad at all.
5. Even geniuses have low points; don’t use outcomes to criticize the alma mater
The author cites Terence Tao as an example: a recognized genius who almost failed his first-year qualifying exams at Princeton and had his recommendation letters criticized by his advisor for exaggerating his abilities. He later went to UCLA, which was not considered a top institution at the time, but he flourished there and made it a leading center for mathematics. By that logic, wouldn’t Princeton have “hindered” Tao’s development? Therefore, Wang Hong’s success in France should not negate her experiences at Peking University. Growth is a process, and every stage of support and effort is important; her time at Peking University was part of her journey to success, not an obstacle.
Conclusion
The criticisms of Peking University online are often based on hindsight and overlook the actual circumstances and objective factors. Peking University provided Wang Hong with the opportunities she needed to grow. Her achievements are a result of her own efforts and multi-stage support; it is unfair to blame her alma mater for her success. A rational view of talent development shows respect for researchers.