From Chengdu to Grothendieck
“ Mathmathematics andengineering at’Universityof Montpellier: fromfundamental theories to modern applications ” is the theme of the 2026 Winter School at UM’s Faculty of Sciences, which is hosting a delegation of Chinese students from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) in Chengdu from February 2 to 7.
Inaugurated by François Pierrot, Vice President for International Relations at the University of Montpellier, this event is organized under the patronage of two leading scientific figures from Montpellier: Alexander Grothendieck, who revolutionized algebraic geometry and embodied the power of pure mathematical abstraction, and Jean-Jacques Moreau, founder of convex analysis and non-smooth mechanics, whose ideas paved the way for modern modeling of granular and divided media.
The program for this Winter School, led by Professors Adam Ali and Émilien Azéma, includes lectures, presentations, and tours highlighting the unique character of Montpellier’s scientific landscape, which bridges mathematical thought, engineering, and innovation. It offers an opportunity to showcase the vitality of the collaborative partnerships that unite our two institutions.