From Studying at Northwestern Polytechnical University toParticipating in the Creation of the Finite Element Method

The Finite Element Method is one of the most significant algorithms in the field of scientific and engineering computing. It was independently developed by European and American engineers and Chinese mathematicians following different academic paths. Academician Cui Junzhi (崔俊芝) studied at Northwestern Polytechnical University during his early years. After graduation, he joined the Institute of Computing Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he conducted research on dam computation under the guidance of Feng Kang. In this interview, he recalls his educational background and detailed involvement in the creation of the Finite Element Method. He also provides a comparative analysis of the invention of the method in China and abroad, emphasizing that the method created by the Chinese team during the same period was more general. Additionally, he summarizes the development of finite element software in China and shares insights and lessons learned throughout the process.