[3] Chern's guiding principle for the Institute was, "based at Nankai, serving the country, and embracing the world.

[5] At Chern's request, Yang Chen-Ning established a Theoretical Physics Division at the Institute in 1986.

Many physicists and mathematicians from around the world have visited and given lectures at the Division, including Michael Atiyah and Freeman Dyson.

[6] In May 2005, the Institute established the Visiting Scholars Program to promote communication and cooperation in mathematical research.

Mathematicians from China and the rest of the world can apply to the Institute to conduct research there for a maximum of three months.