Head of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Charles Alcock was received by PresidentLyu Jian during his visit to Nanjing University on June 5, 2018.
Alcock was accompanied by Zhang Qizhou, researcher of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center.
The two sides discussed the cooperation in astronomical research between the center and Nanjing University.
Also present at the meeting were Associate Vice-President Pu Lijie and the heads of the School of Astronomy and Space Sciences and the Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges.
President Lyu Jian extended his welcome to Charles Alcock and pointed out that astronomy is one of Nanjing University’s traditional strong disciplines and is ranked the first in China. He is pleased that there have been frequent and close exchanges between Nanjing University and Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
As Nanjing University is engaged in the construction of “the first rate university and first rate disciplines,” said Lyu, this is an opportunity to push forward extensive cooperation in students education, personnel exchange and scientific research with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, especially in astronomy, space science, and in promoting the development of various areas of astronomy.
Charles Alcock recalled his first visit to Nanjing University and the extensive discussion he had with Qu Qinyue, the university’s president at that time.
He expressed his high appreciation of the level of the discipline of astronomy at Nanjing University and briefed the host on the joint programs of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and NASA and also on the center’s participation in China’s SKA program.
Alcock pointed out that China is devoted to developing astronomy with important achievements in radio astronomy, including the construction of “FAST,” the world’s largest. Single-aperture radio telescope.
The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, he promised, will continue to support Nanjing University’s effort at the development of astronomy and explore possibilities of cooperation.
During his visit, Alcock held discussions at the School of Astronomy and Space Sciences on specific matters of all-round cooperation between the two institutions in the future.
It is reported that the joint program between the School of Astronomy and Space Sciences and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics has been selected as part of “Nanjing University International Strategic Cooperative Partnership Development Plan.” Under the support of this plan, the two sides will enhance their multi-level, all-round cooperation in student education, personnel exchange and science research.
