Peking University, Nov. 12, 2010:   The Joint Research Center for Navigation Satellite set up by the Ministry of Education successfully held its inaugural meeting at Peking University (PKU), which was hosted by Prof. Cheng Xu, Assistant President of PKU.

The inaugural meeting of Joint Research Center for Navigation Satellite was held at PKU.

Mr. Xie Huanzhong, Secretary of Ministry of Education Science and Technology Bureau, Mr. Cai Lanbo, Vice Director of China Navigation Satellite Office, Prof. Zhang Yan, Vice President of PKU, Academician Liu Jingnan, Director of Joint Research Center for Navigation Satellite, and Academician Yang Yuanxi, Director of the Committee on Science and Technology of Joint Research Center for Navigation Satellite, attended the meeting and gave speeches. About seventy representatives from the government offices, related universities and departments were presented as well. 

The center is jointly established by 19 universities such as PKU, Wuhan University. The specific operation of the center is leaded by PKU Advanced Technology Institute. The aim of the center is to integrate the universities' resources, enhance their collaboration, carry out scientific research and talents' training in the related fields, construct it to be a world-class navigation satellite technology research center, and promote the development of the fields related to navigation satellite.

Mr. Xie Huanzhong, Secretary of Ministry of Education Science and Technology Bureau, at his speech.

Mr. Xie Huanzhong mentioned in his speech that the Minister of Education highly valued the participation of universities into the work related to navigation satellite. By this center, they hoped to raise the universities' ability of participating in the specific field of navigation satellite. They also hoped to contribute to the technological advancement and economic development of the country through discipline construction, talents' training, and international exchanges. He emphasized that the supporting universities should pay attention to the development of the center highly, and connect their own long term developing plan with the center's future development. 

 Prof. Zhang Yan, Vice President of PKU, at his speech.

Prof. Zhang Yan said that as the leading university, PKU would provide all-around support to promote the development of the center with a great sense of responsibility and a high level of enthusiasm. 

 Mr. Cai Lanbo, Vice Director of China Navigation Satellite Office, at his speech.

Mr. Cai Lanbo expressed his warmest congratulations to the establishment of the center, which showed that the Ministry of Education paid great attention and provided supports to the construction of the BeiDou (COMPASS) Navigation Satellite System and the related industrial development. He also mentioned that he was pleased to see that the universities play a more important role in the construction of navigation satellite system under the leadership of the Ministry of Education. He suggested that the center should emphasize on independent innovation, take the leadership in technological advancements, and promote the construction of the center through the talent management.

Academician Yang Yuanxi, Director of the Committee on Science and Technology of Joint Research Center for Navigation Satellite, at his speech.

Academician Yang Yuanxi said that the Committee on Science and Technology would make contributions to the center's developmental plans, research activities as well as academic exchanges in the field of navigation satellite.

 Academician Liu Jingnan, Director of Joint Research Center for Navigation Satellite, at his speech.

Academician Liu Jingnan pointed out in his speech that with the great expectations and high responsibilities, the center would contribute to the development of navigation satellite systems in China by promoting innovation, enhancing the research on the basic theory, and increasing the cooperation with universities.  

After the meeting, the members of the board of directors and the Committee on Science and Technology of the center held their first meetings respectively.

Translated by: Lim Yee Chuin
Edited by: Su Juan
Source: PKU News (Chinese)