Peking University, Nov. 14: The PKU (Peking University) Student Science Conference 2011 was held by PKU Youth League Committee and College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of PKU on Nov. 4. It is part of a series of activities named “International Year of Chemistry in China”. Leaders attending the opening ceremony included Vice-Chairman of Beijing Association of Science and Technology Tian Wen, Deputy Secretary-General of Chinese Chemical Society (CCS) Liu Zhengping, PKU Vice Provost and Executive Vice Dean of Graduate School Wang Yanglin, Dean of PKU School of Life Sciences Rao Yi. Leaders of College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of PKU were also present, including Chinese Academy of Sciences Member Gao Song, Dean Wu Kai, and Council Vice-Chairman Ma Yuguo.

Vice-Chairman of Beijing Association of Science and Technology Tian Wen addressed the conference

Professor Ma Yuguo delivered a speech

Tian Wen first made a speech, expressing his congratulations to the opening of Student Science Conference and “International Year of Chemistry in China”, and encouraging students to cherish the present time and research resources offered by PKU and work hard to make a contribution to the development of our country.

Then Prof. Ma Yuguo also made a speech. He introduced the history of International Year of Chemistry and the series of activities held by PKU during the occasion, summarized the efforts that College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of PKU has made for years on student education and research innovation and gave his congratulations to the opening of the activity.

2011 is a year of harvest. In the final contest of “Challenge Cup”, the competition of national undergraduate curricular academic science and technology works, the six candidate works of PKU students are all awarded. Among them, Zhao Bohuan from PKU College of Chimistry and Molecular Engineering was awarded grand prize.

At the end of the opening ceremony, Prof. Wang Yanglin delivered a summary speech and announced the opening of the PKU Student Science Conference 2011. He pointed out PKU, as one of the top universities in China, is always playing an important part in the improvement of China’s innovation ability.

The report part following the opening ceremony was hosted by Prof. Yan Chunhua from College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of PKU. He introduced the origin of the theme of this science conference “the life and mission of chemistry” in a humorous way and the speakers of the meeting, Prof. Rao Yi and Prof. Wu Kai.

Professor Rao YI gave a lecture

Professor Wu Kai answered questions of students

Prof. Rao Yi described the important role that chemistry has played in the research of life sciences from two aspects, “chemistry in life sciences” and “the relationship between life and chemistry”.

Prof. Wu Kai first explained the relationship between chemistry and modern human life and technology development by vivid examples, and later introduced the present frontier field of chemistry.

In the Q&A part of the meeting, Prof. Rao Yi and Prof. Wu Kai exchanged ideas with students, including “the prospect of bioenergy”, “the co-development of chemistry and life sciences” and “the mystery of chemistry”.

The Student Science Conference aims at building a wide platform for interdisciplinary communication between PKU students and teachers, guiding students to pursue the truth actively and promote the boom of research culture of PKU.

Written by: Xu Xinyi
Edited by: Cao Yixing
Source: PKU News (Chinese)