History of Development
Foundations and Early Development
The Origins of the Mathematics Division (the predecessor of the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics)
The Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics traces its roots back to the Mathematics Division, founded in July 1956. Thirteen lecturers — among 26 newly graduated bachelor’s degree holders from the University of Science and Education — joined Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST). These pioneering educators included: Lê Minh Châu, Đinh Nho Chương, Kim Cương, Tô Xuân Dũng, Tạ Văn Đĩnh, Trần Văn Hãn, Phan Bá Ngọc, Lê Thiện Phố, Nguyễn Mỹ Quý, Nguyễn Hồ Quỳnh, Thái Thanh Sơn, Hoàng Công Tín, and Nguyễn Đình Trí. After just three months of dedicated work preparing syllabi and lesson plans, they delivered the very first lectures to HUST’s inaugural class on October 15, 1956.
In 1958, the division evolved into the Department of Mathematics. Thanks to the collective efforts of its faculty, the first technical mathematics textbooks in Vietnam were published by the Science and Technology Publishing House (1961) and the Education Publishing House (1962), becoming core references at most universities nationwide.
Alongside teaching, the department was among the first in the country to conduct applied mathematics research and implement projects addressing practical needs in production and national defense, such as:
- Applying operations research in transportation systems in Hai Phong, Hai Duong, and Hanoi;
- Designing logistics networks for the Red River Delta;
- Planning the building materials enterprises in Military Zones 5 and 9.
In recognition of these achievements, in 1963 the Department of Mathematics — together with the Department of Bridge and Road Engineering — became one of the first two units in Vietnam’s education sector to receive the prestigious title “Socialist Labor Collective” and was awarded the Third-class Labor Order.
Institutional Development (1959–1980s)
In 1966, the Department of Mathematics became one of the independent academic units under the university. From 1967, it was part of the Division of Basic Sciences, alongside departments such as Theoretical Mechanics, Russian Language, Technical Drawing, and Physical Education.
The department helped establish mathematics divisions at other institutions, including the University of Finance and Accounting, University of Civil Engineering, University of Mining and Geology, University of Light Industry, and the Military Technical Academy.
After Vietnam’s reunification in 1975, several staff members were sent to the South to support and build mathematics departments at universities in Hue, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Tay Nguyen University (since October 1977).
From the 1976–1977 academic year, HUST officially launched graduate education. On December 13, 1976, Dr. Tạ Văn Đĩnh became the first scholar at the university to successfully defend a doctoral dissertation (then called “Candidate of Sciences”). In 1980, five mathematics lecturers were conferred the title of Associate Professor in Vietnam’s inaugural academic title appointment round.
Key Milestones in Academic Structuring
The academic year 1968–1969 marked a turning point with the establishment of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, comprising three departments: Mathematics, Physics, and Theoretical Mechanics. Under the proposal of Professor Tạ Quang Bửu, the department was tasked with training “Construction Mathematics Engineers,” bridging mathematics with engineering through computational tools.
In September 1970, the Department of Mathematics was divided into three units: Advanced Mathematics, Control Mathematics, and Computational Mathematics — beginning formal training of students in Computational Mathematics (Cohort 13).
Following the trend of broader academic programs, in 1983, the Departments of Control Mathematics and Computational Mathematics were merged into the Department of Computational Mathematics and Control, which was renamed in 1984 as the Department of Informatics and Applied Mathematics.
In 1986, the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics was divided. The Faculty of Informatics and Applied Mathematics was formed from the Department of Advanced Mathematics and the Department of Informatics and Applied Mathematics.
In 1987, some staff from this faculty, together with members of the Computer Center and faculty from the Department of Radio Electronics (now the School of Electronics and Telecommunications), founded the Faculty of Informatics. The remaining unit became the Faculty of Mathematics — during a period when the university adopted a two-tier structure: University and Faculty.
From Faculty to Institute and Back Again (1995–present)
In 1995, HUST reinstated the three-level administrative structure. In June 1996, the Faculty of Mathematics was renamed the Faculty of Applied Mathematics, comprising three departments: Mathematical Informatics, Optimization, and Mathematical Analysis. In recognition of its development and educational contributions, the Faculty was awarded the Second-class Labor Order in 1998.
In April 1999, departments were reorganized and renamed to align with new academic goals, resulting in:
- Department of Fundamental Mathematics
- Department of Mathematical Informatics
- Department of Computation and Control (renamed Department of Applied Mathematics in 2004)
During this period, the Faculty also launched its graduate programs (1998–1999). The first cohort of the Master’s program in Applied Mathematical Informatics graduated in 2000.
In April 2004, the Faculty was renamed the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Informatics. In November 2007, it was honored with the First-class Labor Order for outstanding achievements in education and research.
In 2011, HUST restructured its organization, transforming faculties into schools with greater autonomy. By November 2011, the Faculty became the Institute of Applied Mathematics and Informatics.
In 2023, HUST adopted a new institutional structure comprising Schools and Faculties under the University. In December 2023, the Institute was restructured and renamed the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, opening a new phase of development.
From the original Mathematics Division — one of the first specialized divisions established at HUST’s founding — the Faculty has grown into a strong, reputable academic unit. It is now recognized for its contributions to research and education at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels in mathematics and informatics. The Faculty has developed collaborative partnerships with domestic and international institutions, and it actively supports the application of mathematical and computational sciences in various fields such as economics, finance, management, construction, and engineering.
Faculty and Staff, 1996
Faculty and Staff, 2000
Faculty and Staff, 2006