On April 24th, Professor Jun Xia from Wuhan University’s College of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering received the International Hydrology Prize-Volker Medal by IAHS-UNESCO-WMO at the Dooge-Nash International Hydrology Conference in Dublin, Ireland. Xia is the first Chinese scholar to win the prize.
Professor Hubert Savenije, the president of IAHS, explained that Professor Xia is a distinguished scientist who has advanced hydrology knowledge and strategy particularly in the fields of water source management and sustainable exploitation in China and globally. Professor Savanije further commended Jun Xia for possessing the scientific spirit advocated by Adriaan Volker, making advancements in hydrology for the benefit of society, particularly in developing countries. Professor Savenije further pointed out that Jun Xia not only promotes the development of hydrology science, but has proposed novel methods for antifouling, flood control and strengthening the protection of river ecology. Professor Xia’s research has influenced global hydrology theory and improved global water management. When accepting his prize, he attributed his success to his mentor, Professor Shouze Ye, who instilled in him a great dedication to improving water management for people’s benefit. Jun Xia mentioned the instructions from two well-known hydrologists, Professor J.E.Nash and Professor J.Dooge and the international hydrology seminars in which he has taken part in Ireland other contributing factors to his success. He promised to continue his focus on water issues, carry out in-depth cooperation with international partners, and devote himself to solving water problems in developing countries.
Jun Xia, a professor of College of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, is the first Chinese educated doctor in hydrology and water resources. He has long been engaged in researching systematic hydrology and sustainable utilization of water resources and chaired several National Basic Research Programs. He was elected as the Vice President of the International Association of Hydrologic Scientists (IAHS) in 2007, and the president of International Water Resource Association (IWRA) in 2009.
The International Hydrology Prize has been awarded to top global hydrologists since 1983. In 2014, the International Hydrology Prize was divided into two medals, the International Hydrology Prize-Dooge Medal and International Hydrology Prize-Volker Medal, in honor of hydrologists who have contributed theoretical and practical hydrology science. Professor Demetris Koutsoyiaanis from Greece won the 2014 International Hydrology Prize-Dooge Medal.
(Rewritten by Yue Rao, Edited by Sijia Hu & Yoni)
