The Judiciary today announced all court proceedings will resume as safely as circumstances permit from May 4.

Court and tribunal registries will reopen in stages from May 6, including the registries of the Court of Final Appeal and the High Court.

Having regard to the public health situation and the need for social distancing, court business will initially be conducted under a reduced capacity.

The Judiciary will continue to put in place appropriate preventive and crowd management measures.

The measures include requiring all people entering judiciary premises to undergo temperature checks and wear face masks.

They also include putting in place queuing, ticketing and triage systems, designated entry and exit points as well as admission control to limit the number of court users entering and remaining on judiciary premises.

To maintain social distancing, chessboard seating arrangements will continue to be adopted in courtrooms and court lobbies will reduce seating capacity by half.

Additionally, capacity limits will be set for areas such as court registries and accounts offices to avoid crowding.

Police today announced its decision to prohibit two public meetings and object to a public procession intended to be held on Hong Kong Island on May 1.

Upon risk assessment, Police said it regarded that the public meetings and procession are high-risk activities with crowd gatherings.

Police have grounds to believe that such activities do not only increase the risk of infecting participants and other people with COVID-19, but pose a serious threat to the lives and health of all citizens, jeopardising public safety and affecting the rights of others.

Police emphasised that it believed it is necessary to prohibit the public meetings and object to the public procession in accordance with the Public Order Ordinance for maintaining public order and public safety as well as protecting the rights and freedom of others.

Police reminded the public that taking part in an unauthorised assembly is a criminal offence and those found guilty could be liable to five years’ imprisonment.

The challenges, for Hong Kong, are as much local as they are global. I know many of you are concerned about the recent social unrest here in Hong Kong, about whether it is affecting our financial market and whether there has been outflow of funds.

First of all, there's the obvious: Hong Kong is undergoing a time of unprecedented turbulence. Dissension has gripped our community for months now. That said, we are working to address and respond to those concerns, determined to find a path to peace, harmony and renewed prosperity in 2020.

We have been making progress. But there is still much to be done before we can put this testing time behind us.

Competitive advantages

What I can tell is that the advantages Hong Kong has long been recognised for are still very much with us, and they are not going anywhere anytime soon.

They begin with our enviable location, at the heart of Asia. Which means that Hong Kong is fully plugged into the round-the-clock global financial trading cycle. We provide certain and seamless connectivity with the financial hubs of Europe and North America, as well as those in the Middle East and across Asia.

Hong Kong is blessed with the dual advantages of "one country, two systems". The rule of law, an independent judiciary and an unshakable adherence to free enterprise are among Hong Kong's core values.

We offer businesses from the Mainland and all over the world - more than 9,000 at last count - a level-playing field, a competitive market, whatever their businesses, whatever their investments. Our linked exchange rate system remains solid, our currency fully convertible and capital flowing in and out freely, as enshrined in Article 112 of the Basic Law. Our capital markets are deep and liquid.

Despite our external and domestic challenges, Hong Kong's financial market remains stable. Our banking system continues to run smoothly and with ample liquidity.

The figures speak for themselves. In 2019, Hong Kong again topped the world in funds raised through IPOs - some US$40 billion worth. This is the seventh time we have come first in the past 11 years.

Our stock market's capitalisation is about US$4.9 trillion. That's more than 13 times Hong Kong's GDP.

As at end November 2019, bank deposits in both Hong Kong dollars and foreign currencies continued to increase over the same period last year, totalling US$1.8 trillion.

Our exchange rate remains stable. These and other measures reflect the integrity of Hong Kong's financial and legal system, the confidence it conveys, even as we face formidable external and domestic shocks.

In September last year, the Global Financial Centres Index once again ranked Hong Kong among the world's top three financial centres, behind only New York and bearing in on London.

Last October, the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report ranked our financial system top in the world, while the World Bank rated Hong Kong the third-easiest place to do business.

Hong Kong is still very much the largest offshore renminbi business hub in the world.

We are, as well, the premier asset and wealth management centre. Apart from exempting onshore and offshore funds from profits tax, we are considering introducing a more competitive tax arrangement to attract private equity funds to domicile in Hong Kong.  

The insurance industry is equally important. We have, after all, the highest concentration of insurers in Asia - more than 160 at the end of September. And we will enable the issuance of insurance-linked securities, expanding the insurable risks of captive insurers in Hong Kong.

On the taxes front, we already have the world's most business-friendly tax system, according to Paying Taxes 2020, a report produced by Pricewaterhouse Coopers and the World Bank. Still, we plan to provide tax relief to promote the development of marine insurance and the underwriting of specialty risks in Hong Kong.

Green finance is our policy priority going forward. Green bonds issued and arranged in Hong Kong increased over 200% to US$11 billion in 2018 as compared to the previous year.

That was followed by our inaugural government green bond issuance of US$1 billion last May. And we plan to issue more, and encourage more entities to arrange financing for their green projects right here in Hong Kong.

Fintech is another area where we strive to excel.

Looking at the big picture, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s latest projection of global economic growth this year has been adjusted downward to 3.4%. Growth in Asia, however, will continue to outperform the rest of the world.

The IMF forecasts the Mainland economy to grow by 5.8% in 2020, down slightly but still far and away leading most other jurisdictions.

Robust financial system

As for Hong Kong, the IMF Staff Report last month commended the resilience of our financial system and linked exchange rate, despite its slowing economy. The IMF's Hong Kong report noted, and I quote, that "robust policy frameworks and ample buffers will help the economy weather the challenges ahead".

The IMF also expressed approval for the Government's wide-ranging policies to support the economy and safeguard financial stability.

While we welcome the IMF's confidence in Hong Kong, I am prepared to roll out further relief measures as necessary.

We will also step up efforts to capitalise on emerging opportunities - not only from green finance and fintech but from the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt & Road Initiative, which demonstrates Hong Kong's uniqueness and irreplaceable position in the Mainland's national and economic development strategy.

Hong Kong is, and will remain, the business bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world. Count on Hong Kong, as always, to be your partner, to help you build your business in the Mainland, throughout the Asian region and around the world. Count on Hong Kong to connect you with abundant capital and continuing opportunities.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan gave these remarks at the 13th Asian Financial Forum keynote luncheon on January 13.

More than 30 local music and dance groups will perform in the Youth Music & Dance Marathon on January 5.

The free event presented by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department will be held from 1pm to 6pm that day at the Cultural Centre Piazza.

Event highlights will include performances by singers and groups from the Renaissance Foundation and My Main Stage as well as other local bands such as Chonotenki and Gainorva.

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts’ School of Dance, the Hong Kong Schools Dance Association and other groups will also give a variety of dance performances such as Chinese, street, jazz, modern, cha-cha-cha, jive and J-pop.

Click here for details.

The city's annual Jazz Marathon will be held on April 25.

The all-day music event will see artists from France, India, Italy, Japan, the Mainland, Russia and the US collaborate with local musicians to create a borderless jazz soundscape.

The Day Marathon Concert will be held from 2.30pm to 6pm while the Night Marathon Concert will be held from 7.15pm to 10.45pm.

 
Ahead of the concerts, jazz workshops with the artists will be held on April 24.

Presented by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department, the events will be held at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai.

Tickets are available at URBTIX.

Click here for details.

We as mathematicians seem practically hell-bent on removing the phrase “I’m just not a math person” from students’ vocabularies. Maybe that’s why they scream it so loudly and defiantly? Math has so many tactical advantages over sports and the arts. … Continue reading →

The Development Bureau today announced that the Land Sharing Pilot Scheme will open for applications tomorrow to help unleash the development potential of qualified private land.

The private land must be with consolidated ownership that is outside specified environmentally sensitive areas and not covered by the Government's development studies.

In connection with the pilot scheme’s launch, the Chief Executive has appointed 10 members from a wide spectrum of sectors to a Panel of Advisors to offer independent opinions on the applications received and advise on the scheme's operation.

Chaired by Dr David Wong, the panel members will serve a term of 3.5 years starting May 1.

Secretary for Development Michael Wong said while government-led planning and land resumption remains the mainstream and continues to dominate its land creation agenda, the pilot scheme seeks to complement such efforts by tapping into market resources and efficiencies to boost both public and private housing in the short to medium term.

Under the scheme, the Government will facilitate infrastructural improvements that will enhance the development intensity of the private lots under application.

In return, the applicants are required to hand over part of the lots they own in the form of formed land that is capable of delivering at least 70% of the increased domestic gross floor area for public housing or Starter Homes developments intended by the Government.

Each project under the scheme should be capable of delivering an increased domestic gross floor area of no less than 50,000 sq m in total and at least 1,000 additional housing units.

The application period lasts for three years until May 5, 2023, subject to a cap of 150 hectares on the total area of private land to be approved.

The development chief added that the Government’s target is to convert the agricultural lots into spade-ready sites ready for housing construction within four to 6.5 years from the time applications are received.

To reduce social contact in light of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Primary One Central Allocation results will be posted to parents.

Announcing the move today, the Education Bureau said it will deliver door-to-door the Primary One Registration Form with Central Allocation results to parents from June 3 to 4 through Hongkong Post’s Local CourierPost service.

If no one is present to receive the item at the time of delivery, a mail collection notification card will be left for parents to collect it from the designated post office from the afternoon of the following working day.

If parents have not received the Primary One Registration Form or the notification card by June 5, they can collect the registration form at the designated Collection Centre from June 6 to 7.

The Education Bureau will send letters to parents tomorrow to notify them of the arrangements.

Parents can get updates on the latest arrangements for the release of Central Allocation results and registration through the bureau’s press releases and messages posted on its website.

Call 2891 0088 for information on Primary One admission. For further enquiries, contact the bureau's School Places Allocation Section (Primary One Admission) on 2832 7700 or 2832 7740.

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The Government today announced the mechanism for Hong Kong enterprises with manufacturing operations in the Mainland to apply for exemption from the compulsory quarantine arrangement. 

It said the Trade & Industry Department has started processing applications.

The Chief Secretary may designate anybody or category of people for exemption from quarantine if their travelling is necessary for purposes relating to manufacturing operations in the interest of Hong Kong's economic development.

With effect from May 4, the Chief Secretary has exempted two categories of people from the quarantine arrangement.

They include owners of Hong Kong enterprises with a valid business registration certificate and with manufacturing operations in the Mainland and up to one person employed and authorised by the enterprise, as well as up to two people employed and authorised by such an enterprise.

Exempted people must only travel to and stay in the city where the Mainland factory of their Hong Kong enterprise's manufacturing operations is located and must take every precautionary measure to ensure personal hygiene and avoid unnecessary social contact. 

After returning to Hong Kong, they will be subject to medical surveillance arranged by the Department of Health during their stay in Hong Kong and will be required to wear masks and have their body temperatures checked daily.

They will also have to report any discomfort to the Department of Health.

Click here for more information.

The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau today announced that the subsidy quota for three mask production lines have been reassigned.

Three production lines, previously approved under the Local Mask Production Subsidy Scheme, have withdrawn from the scheme, the Government said.

The subsidy quota concerned has been allocated to SDL Skin (Asia), Safeguard HK and SwissTech.

SDL Skin (Asia) has been approved for obtaining a subsidy for a second production line and is expected to supply an average of 1.6 million masks every month to the Government. The production line may receive a subsidy of up to $1 million.

Safeguard HK has been approved for obtaining a subsidy for one production line and is expected to supply an average of 500,000 masks to the Government every month. The production line may receive up to $2 million.

SwissTech has been approved for obtaining a subsidy for one production line and is expected to supply an average of 2 million masks every month to the Government and produce a further 1 million masks on average monthly for the local market.

The production line may receive up to $3 million.

It is estimated that when all 20 subsidised lines under the scheme are in full production, they will collectively supply 33.85 million masks to the Government and a further 7.15 million to the local market monthly.

The companies which withdrew from the scheme were CareHK and Shang Manufactory.

The Government did not sign agreements with or make disbursements to these firms.

The value of total retail sales in March, provisionally estimated at $23 billion, fell 42% compared with the same month in 2019, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the volume of total retail sales decreased 43.8% year-on-year.

The value of sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco decreased 21.2%.

This was followed by commodities in department stores (-42.7% in value); other consumer goods, not elsewhere classified (-29.1%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods, not elsewhere classified (-39.6%); jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (-75.2%); medicines and cosmetics (-63.8%); wearing apparel (-67.2%); motor vehicles and parts (-19.8%); fuels (-8%); furniture and fixtures (-14.4%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-48.4%); Chinese drugs and herbs (-51.7%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-60.6%); and optical shops (-46.6%).

The value of sales of commodities in supermarkets increased 16.1% for the period.

The Government said retail sales continued to plummet in March as the COVID‑19 pandemic and resulting anti-epidemic measures brought inbound tourism to a standstill and seriously disrupted consumption-related activities.

For the first quarter as a whole, the volume of retail sales fell 36.9% year-on-year, the largest decline for a single quarter on record.

Noting that the business environment for retail trade will remain very difficult in the near term amid the deep economic recession and sharp deterioration in the labour market, the Government said it will closely monitor the developments.

To align with the phased resumption of public services, various government departments have announced their latest arrangements.

The Department of Justice’s public services will resume normal from May 4. The reception counters of the department’s Prosecutions Division and Civil Division will be open Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm.

The Legal Aid Department’s offices will resume normal office hours on May 4 to provide public services including civil and criminal legal aid application and litigation services.

The Government Logistics Department’s collection office will resume normal operation from May 4 and open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.

The Lands Department's offices will resume public counter services and enquiry telephone lines on May 4, providing services such as payment of government rent and premiums, map sales, and collection of compensation for land resumption.

Except for the surveying services to be conducted outside Hong Kong, all services of the Marine Department will resume starting May 4.

The Rating & Valuation Department will resume normal operation of public services from May 4, with its enquiry counters opening from 8.15am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, except on public holidays.

The Civil Engineering & Development Department said office hours for the Civil Engineering Library, applications for dumping licences and sand removal permits, and the Mines Division’s Permit & Licensing Office will return to normal on May 4.

Public services of the Water Supplies Department, the Planning Department, the Drainage Services Department and the Inland Revenue Department will resume normal on May 4.

Starting from May 4, the Registration & Electoral Office’s enquiry counter and offices, the Buildings Department and the Environmental Protection Department’s public counter services and service counters under the Labour Department will reopen.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption's headquarters and regional offices will also resume normal services from May 4.

The Housing Authority's estate management offices, Public Rental Housing Application Office in the Lok Fu Customer Service Centre, the Clearance Housing Office and the Redevelopment Sub-section Offices will reinstate normal services from that date.

Flat selection sessions of the Territory-wide Overcrowding Relief Exercise, the Living Space Improvement Transfer Scheme and Sale of Home Ownership Scheme Flats 2019 will gradually resume from May 8.

Click here for the latest public service arrangements.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has rejected allegations made by certain officials and politicians in the United States, United Kingdom and European Parliament relating to an April 18 arrest operation and other security matters.

In a statement today, the Hong Kong SAR Government said such allegations were totally unfounded and amounted to a serious intervention in Hong Kong's affairs.

The SAR Government strongly disagreed with the grossly irresponsible remarks and expressed deep regret about them.

It pointed out that since its return to the Motherland, the HKSAR has maintained stability and prosperity under the principle of "one country, two systems", exercising "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Basic Law (BL).   

"The Central Government has time and again reiterated that it will unswervingly implement the policy of one country, two systems' and make sure that it is fully applied in Hong Kong without being bent or distorted. 

“How to implement the policy in the HKSAR - an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China (BL Article 1) and a local administrative region of the People's Republic of China which shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy and come directly under the Central People's Government (BL Article 12) - are entirely internal affairs of the People's Republic of China.

“No other state has the right to intervene, directly or indirectly, in those internal affairs.”

The statement noted Hong Kong people enjoy extensive rights and freedoms which are enshrined in the Basic Law. Basic Law Article 4 states that the HKSAR shall safeguard the rights and freedoms of the residents and of other persons in the region in accordance with law. 

“In addition, human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong are fully protected by the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other legislation, and underpinned by an independent judiciary."

The SAR Government said it always respects and protects human rights and freedoms. Any allegation that there has been an erosion in freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people is unfounded.

However, these rights are not absolute. As pointed out by the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal at the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year 2020: "It is important to understand that the enjoyment of these rights has limits so as not to affect adversely to an unacceptable level the enjoyment by other members of their community of their rights and liberties."

There are clear limits in the law as to the exercise of these rights. When the law is broken, action will be taken in accordance with the criminal justice system.

"We therefore take great exception to comments made by officials and politicians in foreign countries concerning the recent arrests and prosecution of a number of persons for organising and participating in unauthorised assemblies in Hong Kong. 

“The allegation by some that those arrests amounted to an attack on Hong Kong's freedoms and a breach of the BL is absurd and can hardly stand the test of any law-abiding jurisdiction," the statement emphasised.

It also pointed out that Basic Law Article 63 provides that "The Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall control criminal prosecutions, free from any interference." 

Prosecutors have always been discharging this constitutional duty independently and professionally, without fear or favour. Prosecutorial decisions are based on an objective assessment of all admissible evidence and applicable laws, made strictly in accordance with the Prosecution Code which is available to the public.

Cases will not be handled any differently owing to the political beliefs or background of the persons involved.

When law enforcement agencies have completed their investigation, they would seek legal advice from the Department of Justice. The prosecutors would carefully consider the investigation reports and relevant materials submitted. A prosecution would only be commenced if the prosecutor is satisfied that there is sufficient admissible evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction.

In short, the well-established procedures of Hong Kong's criminal justice system include the independent investigations by law enforcement agencies, the independent prosecutorial decisions based on the objective assessment of evidence, applicable laws and in accordance with the Prosecution Code, and finally, open trials by an independent judiciary. 

"The guarantee of judicial independence is explicitly set out in the BL and the quality of the judgments of our courts contributes to the much respected judiciary and rule of law in the HKSAR.

"We therefore note with abhorrence certain overseas politicians' request that the HKSAR Government should drop the charges against the arrested individuals. If we were to accede or to be seen to yield to such unreasonable demands, we would not only be unfair and unprofessional but would also act in violation of the spirit of the rule of law – a core value in Hong Kong," the statement added.

The SAR Government remains steadfast to uphold the rule of law. The latest Rule of Law Index 2020 released by the World Justice Project, in which Hong Kong maintains its ranking as No. 5 in the East Asia and Pacific Region and No. 16 globally, several places ahead of the United States, has clearly affirmed Hong Kong's commitment.

On legislating for Basic Law Article 23, the statement said, "The HKSAR Government has the constitutional duty to ensure that the necessary legislation is in place to safeguard national security.

“Having laws in place to protect national security is common in many jurisdictions, and we do not see how any defence of sovereignty and security by a jurisdiction would impact on its local and overseas investment. 

“Coincidentally, it is relevant to note security issues arising from the social unrest last year were part of the causes affecting Hong Kong's score under 'Investment Freedom' according to the US-based Heritage Foundation 2020 Index of Economic Freedom."

As regards enquiries about the role of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG) in the HKSAR, they represent the Central People's Government to which the HKSAR comes directly under pertaining to Basic Law Article 12. 

These offices have the power and responsibility over the proper and full implementation of the Basic Law and "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong.

It is therefore clearly legitimate for the HKMAO and LOCPG to recently express their concerns over the prolonged paralysis of the Legislative Council House Committee, thereby hindering LegCo's performance of its legislative functions under the Basic Law.

"Any suggestion that those legitimate remarks by the HKMAO and the LOCPG amount to interference only illustrates an ignorance of the constitutional order of the HKSAR and its relationship with the Central Authorities," the SAR Government added.

To align with the phased resumption of public services, the Information Services Department, Government Records Service and Civil Aviation Department have announced their latest arrangements.

The Information Services Department will resume sales counter services at its Publications Sales Unit and Photo Library at North Point Government Offices from May 4.

The sales office will be open from 9am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 6pm from Monday to Friday.

To reduce social contact and avoid people gathering, citizens are encouraged to purchase government publications and photos through the online bookstore and photo store.

The Government Records Service's Public Records Office will provide search room services, including onsite loan and circulation services, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.45pm, for people who have made reservations through the online catalogue.

The office will also resume search room services from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays for people to inspect holdings which have been reserved online. 

Requests by up to 15 users will be accepted for search room services for each open day on a first-come, first-served basis. Users will be notified of the reservation results by email.

Visitor and public education programmes will continue to be suspended, while the Exhibition Hall at the Public Records Building will be temporarily closed for preparation of the new thematic exhibition until further notice.

Enquiries can be made to 2195 7700 or via email.

The Civil Aviation Department’s Personnel Licensing Office will continue to provide counter services from next Monday and resume relevant licensing examinations.

The office's opening hours are 8.45am to 12.45pm and 1.45pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Enquiries can be made to 2910 6046 or via email.

Click here for the latest public service arrangements.

DeepMind's cofounder and head of applied artificial intelligence, Mustafa Suleyman, has abruptly left the company for an indefinite period

The virtual-based office hours is to connect female founders with early-stage VC investors who will provide business advice and investments

The CuMasks have undergone strict testing and certification processes before the product will be distributed to help people combat the COVID-19 virus, Secretary for Innovation & Technology Alfred Sit said today.

Mr Sit’s remarks came amid public concerns over the safety of the free reusable face masks that the Government plans to distribute to all Hong Kong citizens.

Addressing reporters after attending a radio programme this morning, Mr Sit said: “The product has gone through a very comprehensive and clear testing and certification process.

“The product can fully comply with the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) F2100 Level 1 requirement, so that the product can fully meet the need of protecting our people from COVID-19.

“I have to emphasise that this whole process must be done by proper laboratories and that’s what we have done.”

Mr Sit noted that a dedicated website on the CuMask has been set up that contains information on the testing reports of the masks.

“For those people who may not have a complete understanding about our product, they may go to our website so that they can see the reports and certificates.

“I fully hope this product can help our people to combat COVID-19.That’s what we would like to do."

Karin Melnick of the University of Maryland, College Park, has been awarded the AMS Joan and Joseph Birman Fellowship for Women Scholars for the 2020–2021 academic year.

Melnick’s research is on differential-geometric aspects of rigidity. This work comprises global and local results relating the automorphisms of a differential-geometric structure with the geometric and topological properties of the space. Melnick also works in smooth dynamics, in which an invariant differential-geometric structure plays an important role in the proof of rigidity theorems. Melnick is a leader in research on the Lorentzian Lichnerowicz conjecture, a statement about conformal transformations of compact Lorentzian manifolds. Together with collaborators, she has developed new techniques in the setting of Cartan connections that have facilitated progress on this problem, as well as many results for other differential-geometric structures and general parabolic Cartan geometries.  

Brief Biography of Karin Melnick:

Melnick received her PhD at the University of Chicago in 2006 under the direction of Benson Farb. With an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, she went to Yale University as a Gibbs Assistant Professor. She received a Junior Research Fellowship from the Erwin Schrödinger Institute in the spring of 2009 and that fall began at the University of Maryland, where she is now an associate professor. Previously, Melnick has been awarded an AMS Centennial Fellowship and an NSF CAREER grant. She divides her time between the U.S. and Germany with her partner and their young child, and is very grateful for the flexibility provided by the Birman Fellowship and the opportunities it provides to advance her research and career goals.  

About the Fellowship:

Established in 2017, the AMS Joan and Joseph Birman Fellowship for Women Scholars seeks to give exceptionally talented women extra research support during their mid-career years. The primary selection criterion for the Birman Fellowship, which carries a stipend of US$50,000, is the excellence of the candidate’s research. Read an interview with Joan Birman about her decision to create the Fellowship with the goal of "helping more women mathematicians to develop their creative voices." See more information about the Fellowship.

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The American Mathematical Society is dedicated to advancing research and connecting the diverse global mathematical community through our publications, meetings and conferences, MathSciNet, professional services, advocacy, and awareness programs.

The AMS is pleased to announce that Scott Hershberger has been chosen as the 2020 AMS Mass Media Fellow. Scott studied mathematics and physics at Washington University in St. Louis and will graduate in May 2020. He will be working at Scientific American this summer.

The Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellows program is organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). This program is designed to improve public understanding of science and technology by placing advanced undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate science, mathematics and engineering students in media outlets nationwide. The fellows work for ten weeks over the summer as reporters, researchers, and production assistants alongside media professionals to sharpen their communication skills and increase their understanding of the editorial process by which events and ideas become news.

Now in its 45th year, this fellowship program has placed more than 700 fellows in media organizations nationwide as they research, write, and report today’s headlines. The program is designed to report science-related issues in the media in easy-to-understand ways so as to improve public understanding and appreciation for science and technology.

For more information on the AMS Mass Media Fellowship, visit the website.

updated April 1, 2020

In response to current challenges that colleges and universities face as a result of the spread of COVID-19, the American Mathematical Society is offering libraries and institutions additional support, in line with recommendations in the ICOLC Statement on the Global COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Library Services and Resources.

The AMS is also participating in the Copyright Clearance Center Education Continuity License program, providing access to our content for distance learning and other educational uses at no cost to the user.

We are extending grace access for content hosted on our platforms (including MathSciNet) through the end of May for our existing customers. We will re-evaluate this timing as needed.

As courses transition to online, we can provide instructors with complimentary electronic “reserve” copies of our textbooks for cases in which students do not have access to their print copies.

E-books purchased through the perpetual access model on the AMS platform are always available DRM-free with unlimited simultaneous use. In addition, we are partnering with ProQuest to allow multi-user access through mid-June to all e-books purchased on their platforms. Read ProQuest’s statement.

We are providing remote access to all our content, including MathSciNet. In normal circumstances, this remote access can be set up while on campus or while connected via institution VPN (in order to validate IP-based access). We realize many students, faculty, and researchers did not have an opportunity to initiate this access before leaving campus, so we have given instructions to our library partners on how patrons can connect to our content. Please contact your librarian for assistance.

Libraries: if you have not received instructions to share with your patrons, please email us at cust-serv@ams.org or be in touch about any other of your library’s needs.

Review all AMS Resources & Updates.