Professor Wang Dazhong Elected Honorary Chairman of Tsinghua University Council

Dr. Gu Binglin was appointed president of Tsinghua University on April 25, with approval from the Central Committee of Communist Party of China. Dr. Gu succeeds Professor Wang Dazhong, who retired from the post at the same time.

Professor Wang Dazhong, 68, has served as president of Tsinghua University since April 1994. During Professor Wang’s nine-year tenure, the University experienced its fastest period of development to date. Tsinghua achieved more a competitive educational role in China, and also completed the restructuring plan to build itself a comprehensive, research-oriented, open university.

Under Professor Wang’s leadership, Tsinghua has laid the foundation of a world-class university. Professor Wang has also gained a national reputation for his outstanding work and is held in high esteem by his colleagues and students. As he is nearing 70, Professor Wang Dazhong has asked many times to resign the hand the job over to a younger colleague. The State Council gave full consideration to his request and finally agreed.

Fifty-eight year old Gu Binglin is a professor of physics and a member of the Chinese Academy of Science. He became a student in Tsinghua’s Department of Engineering Physics in 1965 and joined the university staff after his graduation in 1970. He received his Ph.D. from Aarhus University in Denmark in 1982.

Dr. Gu has held numerous high-level posts at Tsinghua, such as chairman of the Physics Department, dean of the Graduate School, and University vice president of Academic Affairs, and holds many important academic positions. He had been engaged in research on condensed matter physics and has had more than 220 academic papers published.

The announcement of the new president was made on April 28 at a meeting of senior administrators of Tsinghua University. Professsor Chen Xi, chairman of Tsinghua University Council, chaired the meeting. In attendance were Shen Yueyue, vice minister of the CPC Central Committee, and Minister of Education Zou Ji, a number of other distinguished guests, and more than 200 administrators and senior faculty.

Professor Wang Dazhong was unanimously elected Honorary Chairman of the Tsinghua University Council on April 25, during the 11th University Council Working Meeting for the 2002-2003 academic year.