On September 15th, the 2018 “Qiushi Award” ceremony, hosted by Hong Kong “Qiushi” Science Foundation, was held at USTC the second time. Mr. ZHA Maosheng, chairman of the foundation, and Mr. YANG Zhenning, Nobel laureate, famous physicist, and consultant of the foundation, attended the ceremony.

The ceremony was started by the speeches of USTC President BAO Xinhe and Mr. ZHA Maosheng.

On behalf of USTC, president BAO extended warm welcome to all the guests and sincere congratulations to all the laureates. He hoped that USTC will continue to strengthen the communication and cooperation with “Qiushi” Science and Technology Foundation, and make contributions to China's construction of a worldwide science and technology power in the new journey.

Mr. ZHA gave a speech in English at the ceremony. He thanked the foundation's consultants and selection committee for their 24 years of assessment, and particularly thanked Mr. ZHOU Guangzhao for his outstanding contribution to the foundation when it was founded in 1994.

The ceremony announced the 2018 Qiushi Outstanding Scientist Award”, Qiushi Group Award for Scientific and Technological Achievements and Qiushi Outstanding Young Scholars Award.

The 2018  Qiushi Outstanding Scientist Award awarded professor IANG Lei, from the institute of physical and chemical technology of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Professor SUN Jiadong, co-chairmen of the selection committee, and Mr. ZHA presented the award. Professor CHEN Xinzi, chemical representative of the selection committee, introduced the laureate' outstanding achievements in his research fields.

The 2018 Qiushi Group Award for Scientific and Technological Achievements also awarded the laser strong field physics team. Professor YANG Zhenning and Mr. ZHA Maosheng jointly presented the award. Professor YANG introduced the team's outstanding academic contributions.

After the melodious chorus The South City Farewell by the school choir, the ceremony entered the stage of  Qiushi Outstanding Young Scholars Award . 12 young scholars from eight universities who have achieved outstanding achievements in a wide range of disciplines were awarded, showing the spirit and academic innovation ability of a new generation of young scholars.

SHI Yigong, an advisor of the foundation, said that competition in the scientific and technological field depends on talents. Since 1994, Qiushi foundation has been awarding 1 million yuan annually to a distinguished scientist, aiming to promote the development of China's scientific and technological undertakings by awarding Chinese scholars with outstanding achievements in the scientific and technological field.

Professor ZHU Shu, a representative of the “Qiushi Outstanding Young Scholars Award”, thanked Qiushi foundation for its support, saying that he will uphold the spirit of seeking truth and make contributions to the country's prosperity, scientific and technological development, and medical progress.

Then, the school orchestra gave a performance of Mozart No. 13 Serenade G Major String Quartet (First Movement), the ceremony came to the end.

Mr. HAN Qide, a consultant of the foundation, said in his closing speech that Qiushi Science and Technology Award is one of the best science and technology awards he had ever seen.He hoped that Qiushi award would be better and better.Coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the founding of USTC, he also gave his best wishes to USTC.

(Written by YE Zhenzhen, edited by YANG Xinqi, USTC News Center)