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Ali Nesin

Turkish Mathematician and Educator

Ali Nesin (born 18 November 1956 in Istanbul, Turkey) is a Turkish mathematician renowned for his contributions to mathematical education and public outreach. He is the founder of the Nesin Mathematics Village, an innovative educational center dedicated to fostering a love for mathematics among people of all ages and backgrounds.

Early Life and Education

Ali Nesin is the son of Aziz Nesin, a prominent Turkish writer and humorist. He completed his primary education at Lycée Saint-Joseph in Istanbul and his secondary education at Collège Champittet in Switzerland. He earned his Maîtrise ès arts degree in mathematics from Paris Diderot University in 1981 and obtained a doctorate in mathematical logic and algebra from Yale University in 1985.

Academic Career

Following his doctoral studies, Nesin held academic positions at several prestigious institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of California, Irvine. In 1993–1994, he served as a visiting lecturer at Bilkent University in Turkey. In 1995, upon the death of his father, he returned to Turkey and became the leader of the Nesin Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children.

Nesin Mathematics Village

In 2007, Ali Nesin founded the Nesin Mathematics Village in Şirince, Turkey, aiming to create a peaceful and inspiring environment for the study and exploration of mathematics. The village offers summer courses and workshops for students ranging from high school to graduate levels, taught by volunteers from around the world. The initiative has become a model for mathematical education and outreach in Turkey and beyond.

Leelavati Prize

In recognition of his outstanding efforts to promote mathematics and establish the Nesin Mathematics Village, Ali Nesin was awarded the 2018 Leelavati Prize by the International Mathematical Union. The Leelavati Prize honors individuals who have made significant contributions to increasing public awareness of mathematics as an intellectual discipline and its role in human endeavors.

Publications and Contributions

Ali Nesin has authored several popular mathematics books, including Mathematics and Fear, Mathematics and Nature, and Mathematics and Infinity, aimed at making mathematics accessible to a broader audience. He has also written semi-academic texts on topics such as propositional logic, counting, and naive set theory. In addition to his written works, he has translated and published his father's correspondence and other writings.

Personal Life

Ali Nesin is married to Özlem Beyarslan and has four children. He is fluent in Turkish, French, English, and has some proficiency in Italian. In addition to his work in mathematics, he is an accomplished artist, engaging in oil painting, drawing, and portraiture. He is also a founding member of the Turkish Human Rights Institution Foundation and has been involved in various social and cultural initiatives.