Invited by First Deputy Prime Minister of The Republic of Uzbekistan, Rustam Azimov, on May, 15-16th, Prof. SHI Yunli attended the International Conference on "the Historical Heritage of Scientists and Thinkers in the Medieval East, Its Role and Importance for Modern Civilization", during which scholars from nearly 40 countries gathered in Samarkand and Prof. SHI was one of the 7 Chinese scholars.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov emphasized the importance of protecting and enriching the historical heritage of science. After introducing the breakthroughs made by Uzbekistan, he specifically thanked 6 scholars studying Uzbekistan Scientists and Thinkers in the Medieval East, including Prof. SHI. Hubert Gijzen, Chairman of The United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organization in the Asia-pacific region also addressed in the ceremony.
After the ceremony, the whole meeting was emceed by Rustam Azimov. SHI’s report, Islamic Astronomy in East Asia in Ulugh Beg’s Era, attracted lots of attention and he received congratulations from overseas colleagues.SHI was also invited to dinner with Azimov that night.
On the second day, SHI host the first workshop and representatives from 18 countries gave speeches there. After 4 workshops, the closing ceremony marked the successful end of this conference.
Prof. SHI has rich research experience. As a visiting scholar or a postdoctoral researcher, he went to Yonsei University, Harvard University and Needham Research Institute during 1996-2005. In 2005-2006, he worked in Needham Research Institute and Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, (Institute for Chinese and Korean Studies). Now, Prof. SHI has important positions in astronomical history research field.
(CHEN Yaoyao, USTC News Center)