The Berlin Mathematical School is ten years old! Established in 2006, the BMS has flourished into a highly successful graduate school currently consisting of more than 200 students and boasting a PhD alumni community of over 210 academics and professionals. In ten short years, the BMS has welcomed aspiring young mathematicians from over 50 countries, reached its goal of 50% international students, and achieved a ratio of 31% female students.

From 17 to 18 November 2016, the BMS held a colorful program of events in celebration of its tenth birthday. The festivities began in advance at the TU Berlin Mathematics Library on the evening of 16 November with a BMS Welcome Reception combined with the opening of "Art on Board: the Beauty of Math". This art exhibition showcases early mathematical prints by Bernar Venet and aquatints from the "Concinnitas Portfolio" and will run until 28 February 2017.

Laure Saint-Raymond, © Kay Herschelmann     Martin Hairer, © Kay Herschelmann  

On the morning of 17 November, the main event took off in the Audimax at TU Berlin. Seven talks were given by distinguished speakers active in different BMS research areas. Each plenary speaker was introduced by two BMS students from the same area of research. Prior to each talk, several BMS students and one of the guest speakers gave very enjoyable and moving vocal and instrumental musical performances.

BMS Phase II student Georg and Laure Saint-Raymond, © Kay Herschelmann     moderating BMS Phase II students Efstathia and Yannik, © Kay Herschelmann

Over half of the BMS student body attended the main event to take advantage of the opportunity to learn from outstanding mathematicians from all around the world. In between the scheduled talks, there was time to socialize with the seven guest speakers, around forty external guests, and over sixty BMS faculty, staff and alumni. At the end of the first day, the BMS student representatives held an (unexpectedly) fun "Math Quiz", which was followed by a buffet reception in the early evening.

 Math Quiz, © Charles Yunck    Audience, © Charles Yunck

The chance to network prior to the main event was not lost as BMS students were invited to take part in a World Café. This event was designed to offer current students the opportunity to meet and chat to BMS alumni and postdocs about various topics such as PhD research, applying for postdoc positions and job availability in the private sector.

BMS Postdoc and BMS Alumni World Café, © Kay Herschelmann     f.l.t.r. Irena, Cesar, Adrián, Alexandre, Claudia, Jana, Tania, © Kay Herschelmann

In recognition of ten years of the BMS, some of the opening speeches were made up of just ten sentences. The BMS Chair, Günter M. Ziegler, presented ten sentences composed by a BMS alumna in which she emphasized the more profound values of a university education. Opening speeches were also given by Christian Thomsen (President, TU Berlin), Peter A. Frensch (Vice President for Research, HU Berlin), Peter-André Alt (President, FU Berlin) and Steffen Krach (Berlin's State Secretary for Science).

Christian Thomsen, President TU Berlin, © Charles Yunck Peter A. Frensch, Vice President for Research, HU Berlin, © Charles Yunck Peter-André Alt, President FU Berlin, © Charles Yunck Steffen Krach, Berlin's State Secretary for Science, © Charles Yunck Günter M. Ziegler, BMS Chair, © Kay Herschelmann BMS Chairs and BMS One-Stop Office Team, © Kay Herschelmann

In his closing speech at the end of the two-day celebration, Professor Ziegler held fast to his newly invented tradition and gave ten sentences of thanks to everyone involved in organizing, presenting, participating, supporting and attending the BMS 10th Anniversary events. In a recent interview, he said "The BMS has achieved so much in ten years: it has changed the mathematical landscape in Berlin, brought international students from the world over to this city, and has created a concept and given a face to studying mathematics in Berlin."

The Berlin Mathematical School would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped to make the past ten years so successful. We are very excited about the next ten years, so watch this space!


Written by S. E. Sutherland-Figini