Henry Pollak

Abstract

Henry Pollak, Director of Mathematics Research at Bell Labs in Murray Hill, New Jersey, served as Chairman of the program committee for ICME IV. Dr. Pollak is a research mathematician who heads one of the world’s most prestigious and innovative industrial research groups. Yet he devotes a considerable part of his professional energy to mathematics education, because the Bell System, like industry generally, has a tremendous stake in education. Indeed, Bell Labs spends each year about $1000 per employee on continuing education. “It is not at all surprising that Bell Labs should have a major interest in education, because it is so important to us. My personal conviction is that I ought to devote some time to education. I see the result of the educational system as we hire people, and I have ideas as what needs to be done.”