25/01/2018

Brazil is promoted to the elite of world mathematics.

IMPA (Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics) and SBM (Brazilian Mathematical Society) announced this Thursday (25) Brazil's entry into the elite of world mathematics. The International Mathematical Union (IMU) has just approved the country's entry into Group 5, which brings together the most developed nations in mathematical research.

The announcement was made at a press conference held at IMPA headquarters in Rio, with the presence of the institute's director-general, Marcelo Viana; the president of SBM, Paulo Piccione; the executive secretary of the Ministry of Education, Maria Helena Guimarães de Castro; and the executive secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications, Elton Santa Fé Zacarias.

Also participating in the announcement were representatives from the history of Brazilian mathematics, such as Artur Avila, 2014 Fields Medal winner; Mauricio Peixoto, one of the pioneers who founded IMPA in 1952; Jacob Palis, Brazil's most decorated mathematics professional; and Claudio Landim, IMPA's deputy director.

Brazil's application to Group 5 was submitted in 2017 by IMPA and SBM to the organization that brings together mathematical societies from countries around the world. Currently, 76 nations are members of the IMU, created in 1920 to promote international cooperation in mathematics.

The countries are divided into five categories, in order of excellence. Besides Brazil, ten other countries are part of Group 5: Germany, Canada, China, the United States, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Russia.

The Director-General of IMPA revealed that he hopes the honor represents a "step towards an even more upward trajectory" for Brazilian mathematics. "Brazilian mathematical research is consolidated and widespread. Over the decades, our capacity for research and training of researchers has grown significantly. The fact that Brazilian mathematics is now alongside the most prominent and relevant countries in global mathematics represents recognition of the quality of mathematical research conducted in the country," said Marcelo Viana.

The change in the classification of countries is decided by the IMU after a recommendation from the Executive Committee. Information such as the number and quality of postgraduate programs and their territorial distribution, the total number of scientific publications disseminated in important journals, and the prominent names in the field are analyzed. The president of the SBM highlighted the quality of Brazilian mathematical researchers. "They are exceptional," said Piccione.

The executive secretary of the Ministry of Education defined the work that IMPA has been doing as a "source of national pride." "We need to train good mathematics teachers, and mathematical research can greatly help us achieve this goal," said Maria Helena Guimarães de Castro.

The executive secretary of CTIC praised the fact that Brazil is "one of the 20 largest producers of research in the world." "IMPA is an institution of excellence recognized worldwide," said Zacarias.

Brazil has been a member of the IMU since 1954. It joined two years after the founding of IMPA, which plays a fundamental role in consolidating the country's position on the international mathematics scene. In just over half a century, it has risen to the top of the rankings – moving up to Group 2 in 1978; to Group 3 in 1981; and, in 2005, to Group 4.

The promotion to Group 5 is a consequence of Brazil's contribution to world mathematics and recognizes the excellence of national research. In recent years, there has been considerable growth in Brazilian scientific publications, in addition to distinctions obtained by its researchers with some of the main world awards – among which the Fields Medal, received by Artur Avila, stands out. In 2006, shortly after the promotion to Group 4, it represented 1.53% of world mathematical production (1,043 papers). A decade later, national production jumped to 2.35% (2,076 papers).

Brazil's entry into Group 5 coincides with the year in which it will host the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) – the most important global meeting in the field – from August 1st to 9th, being held in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time. In the 2014 edition, Artur Avila, an extraordinary researcher at IMPA, was the first Brazilian to receive the Fields Medal, considered the "Nobel Prize" of Mathematics.

Just like the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), held in Rio in July 2017, the ICM is a result of Brazil's prestige on the international mathematical scene. The events are part of the 2017-2018 Mathematics Biennium, a series of national and international initiatives to stimulate, popularize, and promote improvements in mathematics education in the country, highlighting its relevance to personal and economic development.

COUNTRIES IN GROUP 5

Germany, Brazil, Canada, China, United States, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and Russia

Brazil's evolution in the IMU ranking.

Brazil joined the IMU in 1954 as a member of Group 1. It was promoted to Group 2 in 1978; to Group 3 in 1981; and to Group IV in 2005.

FACTORS THAT LED BRAZIL TO GROUP 5

Remarkable progress has been made in Brazilian scientific production in this area, both in qualitative and quantitative terms.

Expansion of the postgraduate system (master's and doctoral degrees) in mathematics in Brazil, to a level of quality compatible with the best international standards.

Growth in regional and international collaboration between Brazilian mathematicians and colleagues worldwide, and the increasing international role of our institutions.

Confidence from the global mathematical community in the maturity of Brazilian mathematics and its capacity to organize large events, such as ICM2018.

Watch the video of the press conference: