Rocket Scientist Gives Public Talk

Prof. Dr. Goh Bean San, a mathematics professor from Nanjing University , gave a public talk on Rocket Science and Strategic Decision Making: Examples and Personal Experiences on 29 July 2010 in UTAR Petaling Jaya Campus. The public talk was organised by Centre for Learning and Teaching of UTAR.

Born in Taiping, Perak, Prof. Goh said that he was then just an ordinary boy. "I loved to catch fighting fish and spiders, and watched them fight," he said. Describing himself as a "rubbish student" who failed everything, he thanked his mathematics teacher at St. George's Institution for who he is today. The "very, very fierce and hot-tempered" teacher, who forced him into solving one mathematical problem after another, made him experience for the first time the exhilaration of after having solved a maths problem.

"I have my teacher to thank. He was strict but dedicated and inspiring," Prof. Goh said. To encourage students present at the talk, he added, "If a loafer like me can be good in maths, I hope students today who are struggling and who think they can never make it will be inspired. If they make a big effort, they can succeed. Don't give up hope."

The teacher also inspired Prof. Goh to have a dream. He aspired to be a nuclear physicist but chose to pursue the mathematics of rocket science when he received the Colombo Plan scholarship to study in New Zealand under the supervision of famous rocket scientist DF Lawden. There, he later developed new mathematics to determine the optimal rocket trajectory in outer space.

Prof. Goh had an opportunity to go to Harvard University and worked on applying rocket science mathematics in business. But after six years in a foreign land, the nostalgic young man decided not to do so. "On a personal level, I would have done better if I had gone over to Harvard, but I have no regrets. Malaysia was then newly independent and we felt nationally conscious. We had to go back and serve the country," he said patriotically.

Back home, the 26-year-old Goh lectured in Universiti Malaya. When the government sought his advice on managing fish population on the east coast, he recommended a mathematical formula to maximise catches yet sustaining the fish population. Over the years, he was invited to give lectures in Harvard University, Stanford University, Tokyo University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and others.

In his talk, Prof. Goh demonstrated that mathematics could be applied to many fields. As a conclusion, he said, "Master mathematics by doing a lot of problem-solving questions. Over time, you will be surprised how it has polished your thinking skills. In the future, there will be many job opportunities which require mathematical skills, such as scientists and researchers. Think big and find ways on how to give back to your society and nation."

Prof. Goh presenting the talk