International conference and distinguished lecture held for world-renowned mathematicians at HKIAS
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The HKIAS International Conference on Mathematical Analysis and its Applications convened exceptional mathematical scholars from around the globe at City University of Hong Kong from 4 to 7 November 2025.
The conference was organized by distinguished HKIAS Senior Fellows, Professor Habib Ammari, Professor Sir John Ball and Professor Philippe G. Ciarlet. Featured among the speakers were some of the most prominent mathematicians from Switzerland, Scotland, France, Italy, the UK, Romania, Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, China, reflecting the event’s international scope. A diverse array of topics was covered: optimal sampling, mathematical theory of interface/edge spectra in topological photonics and the standardization process to post-quantum cryptography, among others.
A significant highlight of the event was the HKIAS Distinguished Lecture titled “Optimal Transport: From A to B … and Beyond”, delivered by Professor Alessio Figalli, a recipient of the 2018 Fields Medal and a newly appointed HKIAS Senior Fellow. The lecture, supported by Kwang Hua Educational Foundation, emphasized Professor Figalli’s expertise in optimal transport theory and its applications across partial differential equations, metric geometry, and probability.
Professor Figalli is one the world’s most prominent experts in this field, has authored more than 150 international publications and serves as a scientific advisor for various research institutes. He began his lecture with a historical context regarding Gaspard Monge on the evolution of Optimal Transport theory, He elaborated on versatility of this framework, employed across disciplines such as economics, data science and the natural sciences. He then delved into the foundational aspects of the theory, its application in addressing big and small ‘moving’ problems, as well as its emergence as a central tool in modern mathematics and beyond.
The conference and lectures received favorable responses from CityU Faculty members, emerging researchers and students, inspiring them in their learning. The Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study at City University of Hong Kong expresses its sincere gratitude to Professor Habib Ammari, Professor Sir John Ball and Professor Philippe G. Ciarlet for their instrumental roles in orchestrating this remarkable conference. Also, HKIAS extends its heartfelt appreciation to all guest speakers for their significant intellectual engagement and knowledge exchange. For more details on the events organised by HKIAS, please visit HKIAS past events.