Peking University, Oct. 10, 2017: On October 10, 2017, three academicians graduated from Peking University were invited to meet with PKU students in the Sunshine Hall of Yingjie Overseas Exchange Center. The three academicians are renowned geologist Zhao Pengda, theoretical physicist Zhang Zongye and semiconductor physicist Xia Jianbai.
This event is a part of the “Alma Mater - Visiting Activity of Academicians” held by Ministry of Education for “Working Committee for Caring for the Next Generation”. Officials from the government, school leaders, alumni, faculty member and student representatives participated the activity.
The scene of the activity
Peking University Council Chairman Hao Ping pointed out that the spirit of hundreds of academicians graduated from PKU is the treasure of the university. He hoped that all PKU students can inherit this spirit of integrity, innovations and social responsibilities. He also encouraged PKU students to learn from academicians and lead the future by honoring traditions and pioneering innovations.
Hao Ping delivering his speech
The three academicians also delivered speeches. They shared their experiences and thoughts along their academic course. During Zhao’s 22-year presidency of different universities, Zhao Dapeng has fostered more than 150 doctor students. Apart from the achievements in education, he is also the first Asian recipient of the William Christian Krumbein Medal, the top award in the field of mathematical geology. He encouraged young people to choose their path carefully and always aim perfection even in terms of adversity. “Keep a low profile in daily life, aim high in your work.” Said Zhao Pengda.
Zhao Pengda
Academician Zhang Zongye is the one who theoretically predicted the existence of super symmetry in super nucleus. She emphasized the importance of interest in academic study. Being the first female academicians of the alma mater - visiting series event, she encouraged young girls to trust themselves. All difficulties can be overcome as long as one can strike a balance between work and family and never give up, so said Zhang Zongye.
Zhang Zongye
Academician Xia Jianbai left Beijing for a remote rural area voluntarily in order to dedicate himself solely to academics in 1970s. He called on students to value their time as students by dedicating themselves to study and try their best to push the boundaries of sciences.
Xia Jianhua
Following the three speeches is an interview, three academicians talked with the host and interacted with students. Students expressed their thoughts on “Wechat Wall”, an instant interaction platform, saying that they will pay tribute to academicians by studying harder and contributing to the rejuvenation of China. The activity ended with Yan Yuan Qing.
The “Alma Mater - Visiting Activity of Academicians” is one of the three major programs running by Working Committee for Caring for the Next Generation of Ministry of Education since 2016, aiming to inspire youth students through talks with outstanding academicians.
Background information:
Zhao Pengda
Born in 1932, Zhao Pengda graduated from the Geological Department of Peking University in 1952 and received an associate doctorate from the Soviet Union Moscow Geological Surveys College in 1958. Zhao Pengda focuses on the application of mathematic models in minerals reconnaissance. He set up the quantitative forecasting theory and method system for minerals resources. In regard to the quantitative prediction of mineralizing of Ningwu, Gejiu, Tongling and Sinkiang, in terms of different scales, he established the new subject of "ore deposit statistical prediction". In 1978, Zhao created the courses of "mathematics geology" and "ore deposit statistical prediction" and trained about 40 postgraduate students. In 1992 Zhao received the top prize of the International Mathematics Geology Association for his experience and contributions as a "researcher, educator and guide in the mathematics geology field."
Zhang Zongye
Born in 1935, Zhang Zongye graduated from the School of Physics of Peking University in 1956. In the 1960s, Zhang Zongye discovered, together with her research partners, the atomic nucleus coherent structure and coherent structure fluctuate model theory and thus successfully explained the main characteristics of low excitation state of atomic nucleus near 16O. In 1976, she theoretically predicted that the super symmetry state exists in super nucleus and this prediction was later proved by laboratory tests carried out by foreign scientists in 1980.
Xia Jianbai
Xia Jianbai, semiconductor physician, professor in the Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He was born in Shanghai in July 1939. After graduating from the Department of Physics of Peking University in 1962, he became a postgraduate student (1962-1965) under the direction of Prof. Kun Huang. In 2001 he was elected as the academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The main research fields of Prof. Xia are the semiconductor physics, the physics of semiconductor superlattices and microstructures. In this field he proposed a series of initiating theories. Prof. Xia has published 105 articles, which has been cited by other people 723 times. He has written two monographs: Semiconductor Superlattice Physics (co-author: Bang Fen Zhu) and Modern Semiconductor Physics. Prof. Xia won the second grade Prizes of National Natural Science in 1993 and 2004, and the first grade Prizes of Natural Science of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1989 and 1998. The monograph Semiconductor Superlattice Physics won the first grade Prize of Excellent Academic and Technical Books and the National Nominating Prize of Books in 1998.
Written by: Huang Yadan
Edited by: Wang Chengsiou
