Teacher Ou's Original Aspiration
The Big Mathematics Department at Yanda University remains as peaceful and serene as ever, with no roar of equipment or strange smells of medicine.
The door to the number theory research office wasn't closed tightly, and sunlight streamed through the crack, cleaving the dimly lit corridor in two.
Ou Ye, carrying a thick stack of mathematical literature, silently walked towards the number theory teaching and research office in the corridor.
Being a good wife and mother, dealing with the mundane details of daily life, Ou Ye has never forgotten her original aspirations and her job; she has been engaged in research on fundamental mathematical theories.
Ten years ago, a prominent entrepreneur from a high-tech company gave a report at the Great Hall, stating that his company had 100,000 R&D personnel, recruited a large number of world-class scientists, and invested as much as $20 billion in R&D annually.
The entrepreneur's company had already reached world-class technology a decade ago, which led to its being subjected to unreasonable sanctions by imperialist powers.
Despite standing at the pinnacle, the entrepreneur felt lost. He frankly admitted that their company's technological level was still at the level of engineering mathematics and physical algorithms, and had not yet truly entered the research of fundamental theories. As they gradually approached the limits of Shannon's theorem and Moore's Law, a new fundamental theory that could effectively solve applied problems had not yet been created, so the entrepreneur was quite worried.
Entrepreneurs who place such importance on basic theoretical research are extremely rare; this is something that should not be a concern for entrepreneurs, but rather for scientists. This also demonstrates the entrepreneur's foresight and profound vision.
Ten years have passed, and high-tech companies have made great strides in application fields. Practical applications are approaching the limits of Shannon's theorem and Moore's law. In other words, current practical applications have reached a bottleneck, and breaking through the bottleneck requires the support of new fundamental theories. However, new fundamental theories have still not been created.
Far-sighted entrepreneurs have this awareness, and so do scholars who specialize in basic theoretical research, such as Ou Ye.
Number theory, especially Analytic Number Theory, can be said to be the most rigorous and theoretical branch of mathematics. Ou Ye has long been engaged in number theory research, and beneath her delicate appearance lies a hardcore mind.
Upon entering the number theory department and arriving at her seat, Ou Ye put down her literature and took her medication as prescribed.
A time clock is installed at the entrance of the building. The normal working hours for the School of Mathematical Sciences on weekdays are from 9 am to 5 pm, with a two-hour lunch break.
The work nature of Associate Professor, Associate Researcher and above is relatively flexible. You can teach classes when you are supposed to teach classes and submit papers when you are supposed to submit papers. You don't have to be bound by the nine-to-five office schedule.
Every country has its laws, and every industry has its rules. Public institutions have their own regulations. Young people who haven't yet reached the level of Associate Professor, Associate Researcher, or above must clock in and out on time, and are not allowed to be late or leave early. If they have something to do, they must ask for leave in advance, otherwise they will be ruined in the annual performance review.
There are only a few people in the number theory teaching and research group. The head of the group, Old Wang, has been diagnosed with prostate disease and went to the hospital for a check-up, so he hasn't come to work.
The biggest challenge facing the Number Theory Department of the Big Mathematics Department may not be academic problems, but rather health.
When Director Old Wang was away, the number theory teaching and research section was run by Ou Ye, who was also a long-term patient.
Ou Ye was clearly not a managerial talent, but fortunately, the sparsely populated number theory research group didn't have any major issues that required her attention.
The indoor air conditioner was set to 28 degrees Celsius, while the outdoor temperature was 27 degrees Celsius. Turning on the air conditioner was worse than not turning it on at all. A young man turned off the air conditioner, opened the window, and made a phone call from the windowsill, "My high school class monitor is getting married in July. Should I go back to my hometown? She's not marrying me, why would I go back?"
"Summer vacation? I have work to do in the capital during the summer vacation, I'm not going back. Before my doctoral stipend comes through, I refuse any form of wedding or class reunion... Old Hei, stop trying to persuade me, or I'll leave the group. That's it, bye."
"Mom, how are you feeling? Still the same old problem, a herniated disc? You need to go to the hospital for treatment. If it gets too severe, it can lead to paralysis! Medical insurance only covers half, but you still need to get treatment. Money is important, but life is more important! Don't worry, my doctoral stipend will definitely be paid in two months. Just go to the best hospital in the county for treatment. That's all. Take care of yourself, bye."
In the quiet number theory research room, the young man's loud chatter was particularly noticeable.
Ou Ye and disliked noise. She frowned, preparing to criticize and educate the young man.
The young man hung up the phone and grinned at Ou Ye.
Ou Ye ultimately refrained from making any harsh statements. She said calmly, "Xiao Huang, it would be better for your mother to receive treatment at a hospital in a big city."
Xiao Huang is a doctoral student in the School of Mathematical Sciences, working on number theory projects under the guidance of his supervisor, Director Old Wang.
These days, recruiting a PhD student specializing in number theory isn't easy. Hopeful Xiao Huang said with a grin, "Hospitals in big cities are certainly more advanced, and the doctors are more skilled, but as for the cost... hehehe, Teacher Ou, could you ask me when my PhD stipend will come through?"
"Then you should ask Director Wang." Everyone minds their own business. Although they work in the same office, Ou Ye is not Xiao Huang's supervisor, so she has no say in Xiao Huang's doctoral stipend.
"Professor Wang is not in good health. I estimate he will have to stay in the hospital for a while. Since he's going to be hospitalized, wouldn't it be better for me to bother him?"
"Your advisor is in the hospital, aren't you going to visit him?"
"I'll definitely visit him, but it's not convenient to talk about money during the visit. Teacher Ou, you have access to the internal system, could you please check the progress of my doctoral stipend application?"
Ou Ye may have a cold expression, but deep down he sympathizes with every patient, perhaps out of a shared sense of suffering.
Xiao Huang, this young man, is carefree and talkative, not at all like a calm and aloof doctoral student majoring in number theory.
However, Xiao Huang's filial piety towards his parents is commendable, which is also the main reason why Ou Ye tolerated him for so long.
"Oh." Ou Ye snorted and then entered the internal system to check.
Xiao Huang trotted around behind Ou Ye, watching her computer screen with nervous anticipation.
The query result came back quickly. "Under review by the Institute of Mathematical Sciences."
With a worried look on his face, Xiao Huang complained, "It's been six months since the approval process started, and it still hasn't been approved by the institute!"
The doctoral stipend is provided by the university, and every doctoral student enrolled receives it.
After the School of Mathematical Sciences reviews the application, the Graduate School approves it, then the Finance Department approves it, and only then can the money be given to Xiao Huang.
The doctoral stipend isn't much, but it should be enough for Xiao Huang's ailing mother to receive treatment at the best hospital in the provincial capital.
The doctoral stipend provided by the university is standard practice. In addition, doctoral students may also receive certain material rewards from their supervisors' research projects.
That's why choosing a caring and wealthy mentor is so important; Shen Qi's doctoral students never have to worry about money.