Lu Yongxiang Receives Honorary Doctorate from University of Minnesota

June 08, 2007

University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks (left), Professor Lu Yongxiang, and Steven Crouch, dean of the Institute of Technology.

Professor Lu Yongxiang, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress and president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota at a ceremony on the Twin Cities campus on May 21. An honorary doctorate is the highest honor bestowed on an individual by the University.

Professor Lu was honored for his innovative leadership and research in the area of mechanical engineering, his pioneering vision and analysis of key scientific principles, his leadership in education, and his tremendous service as a national leader in advancing science policies that strengthen China and better the lives of the Chinese people.

After receiving the award, Lu shared his vision on future strategies for developing science, technology, and education in China. He praised the University of Minnesota for its long-standing relationship with China and for having a successful China Center.

Born in Zhejiang Province, Professor Lu graduated from Zhejiang University in 1964 and then served as a teaching assistant and lecturer from 1964 to 1979. In 1979, he went to Germany as a Humboldt Fellowship scholar and studied at the Institute of Fluid Power Drives and Controls of Technical University of Aachen. He has held numerous positions since returning to China. He is member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of the Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society. He has been president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and chairman of the CAS Presidium since July 1997. He has served as vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress since March 2003.

Professor Lu holds many international honors. He was elected fellow of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) in 1990; member (in the Division of Technological Sciences) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1991; and member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 1994; honorary foreign member of the Korean Academy of Sciences and Technology in 1999; honorary member of Hungarian Academy of Sciences; honorary fellowship of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, UK; corresponding member of the Australian Academy of Science in 2004; member of the German Academy of Natural Scientists Leopoldina in 2005; and foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 2006. He holds seven other honorary degrees from institutions around the world.

Professor Lu was accompanied by Mr. Guo Huadong, deputy secretary general of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of CAS Bureau of International Cooperation; Mr. Cao Jinghua, deputy director of CAS Bureau of International Cooperation; Professor Shi Yong, assistant president of Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (GUCAS); and Professor Zhu Xiangbin, director of the International Affairs Office at GUCAS. Consuls Bao Tongzeng, Yuan Ji, and Jiang Jiajie from the Education Section of the Chinese Consulate in Chicago also attended the ceremony.

Since 1925, the University of Minnesota has conferred 223 honorary degrees. The degrees are awarded to individuals who have achieved eminence in cultural affairs, public service, or a field of knowledge and scholarship.

(Asian American Press 06/08/07)