On April 11th, the Rice University, headed by its President David Leebron paid a visit to Wuhan University. During the short visit, Xiaohong Li, President of Wuhan University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with President Leebron. The agreement marks the beginning of an official cooperation between the two universities.
The Rice delegation members included President David W. Leebron, Rice University representative Yueping Sun, Professor Peter Nordlander and Professor Naomi Halas.
In the meeting, President Li gave a warm welcome to the delegation. Li mentioned that Rice University is an elite private university, renowned worldwide, which is especially strong in Applied Science, Engineering and Nanotechnology. “There is great potential for us two universities to cooperate based on the complementary advantages we have. ” Li said. Li also showed his hope for further student and faculty exchanges and joint research programs between two universities.
President David W. Leebron, on behalf of Rice University, agreed with President Li, “The partnership between us in the field of Nanoengineering has laid a great foundation for the subtantial cooperation between the two universities.” Mr. Leebron sincerely recommended that more programs be carried out not only among students but also professors, with the intention to promote deeper academic exchanges. After the meeting, President Li Xiaohong and President Leebron signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
The delegation also visited the School of Physics and Technology. The discussion mainly focused on the framework of cooperation in the field of Physics. The two sides exchanged ideas regarding academic exchanges, then discussed the feasibility of launching dual degree programs for both undergraduates and graduates in order to promote students studying and doing research internships abroad.
Wuhan University and Rice University’s initial cooperation in the field of Nano-Optics dates back to 2013, mainly concerning academic and personnel exchanges. In 2015, Professor Peter Nordlander from Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Department of Material Science and Engineering in Rice University, was employed as an Excellent Foreign Expert at Wuhan University. He comes to Wuhan University for academic report regularly every year. Currently, the two sides are negotiating to co-establish a Nanoscience and Nano Photonics Joint Laboratory.
Founded in 1912, Rice is a comprehensive research university that fosters diversity and an intellectual environment that produces the next generation of leaders and advances tomorrow’s thinking. It is entitled as “Harvard of the South”. Rice is noted for its applied science programs in the fields of artificial heart research, structural chemical analysis, signal processing, space science, and nanotechnology. Mr. Jin Han, the Chair of the University Council from Wuhan University, visited Rice University in May, 2015.
(Edited by Siying Wu, Mark & Sijia Hu)
