Preparations for the construction of the Institute of Mathematics, Fudan University began from 1956, and it was approved to be founded by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The Institute of Mathematics enjoys a time-honored history. In 1956, entrusted by CAS, Prof. SU Buchin, and Prof. CHEN Jiangong commenced to prepare for constructing Shanghai Mathematical Research Laboratory. In June 1957, Shanghai Mathematical Research Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences was officially founded in Fudan University. Then in October 1958, approved by CAS, Shanghai Institute of Mathematics was officially founded, with two sub-labs: geometry and function theory. Prof. SU Buchin (CAS member) was assigned as the director of the institute. Shanghai Institute of Mathematics, CAS has been put under Fudan University’s administration since 1960, known as Institute of Mathematics, Fudan University, including four research labs: differential geometry, function theory and function analysis, differential equations, and probability and mathematical statistics. More than 4 hundred articles have been published on various journals with department of mathematics of Fudan University.

For decades, we have cultivated hundreds of high-level mathematical talents and made several vital achievements.

1.In 1978, two more research labs were developed along with the previous four research labs, and the 6 research labs are differential geometry, function theory and function analysis, differential equations, and probability and mathematical statistics, algebras, and applied mathematics.

2.In 1980, “Annals of Mathematics” English and Chinese versions were created under the commission of the State Education Commission.

3.In 1981, Institute of Mathematics, Fudan University was one of the first institutes approved to provide doctoral programmes of mathematics and applied mathematics; in 1986, it began to provide doctoral programmes of probability theory and mathematical statistics (doctoral programmes of computational mathematics and doctoral programmes of operations research and control theory were provided by Department of Mathematics from 1984 and 1985 respectively).

4.In 1985, center for post-doctoral studies was approved to be founded.

5.In 1993, “Laboratory of Mathematics for Nonlinear Science” (Ministry of Education of China) open laboratory was approved to be founded.

6.We have obtained several significant awards since 1980:
   3 Second-Class Prizes of the National Natural Science Award (GU Chaohao et al. (1982), CHEN Tianping (2002), CHEN Shuxing (2005)); 2 Prizes for Scientific and Technological Achievements of Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation (SU Buchin (1997), GU Chaohao (2005)); National Top Science and Technology Award (GU Chaohao (2009)).

With the development for more than 5 decades, Institute of Mathematics, Fudan University grows to be a major participant in current domestic mathematical research and talents cultivation. Although our organizational system has transformed, our institute will make greater progress facing new opportunities and challenges.

Previous directors:
The 1st director: SU Buchin (1956-1986.10)
Deputy directors: CHEN Chuanzhang (1959.6-1966.12)
                             GU Chaohao (1962.10-1986.10)
                              XIA Daoxing (1962.10-1986.10)
The 2nd director: GU Chaohao (1986.10-2000.3)
Deputy directors: XIA Daoxing (1986.10-1989.12)
                             JIANG Erxiong (part-time) (1990.11-1997.6)
                             CHEN Shuxing (1990.11-1997.6)
                             ZHANG Yinnan (1990.11-1997.6)
                             HONG Jiaxing (1997.6-2000.3)
                             CHEN Xiaoman (1997.6-1999.7)
                             WU Quanshui (1999.7-2000.3)
The 3rd director: HONG Jiaxing (2000.3-2012.12)
Deputy directors: WU Quanshui (2000.3-2012.12)
                             DING Qing (2006.5-2012.12)

Current director: FU Jixiang