CHINESE state leaders have presented Â鶹ÊÓƵ of Queensland’s Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, , with a prestigious science and technology award.
President , Premier and vice premiers and presented Professor Lu with the accolade at a ceremony in the in Beijing this week.
Professor Lu – an international expert - and six other laureates won their awards for their “distinguished and sustained contributions to collaboration with China in science and technology”.
Professor Lu said he was “extremely honoured” to receive the award.
The Chinese state leaders presented certificates to the laureates and to winners of other award categories in science, technology and innovation.
The other laureates were Andreas Dress (Germany), Toshihiko Emi (Japan), Hugues de The (France), John Buswell (UK), Hiroshi Kurihara (Japan), Stephen Porter (USA) and Aikichi Iwamoto (Japan).
Professor Lu’s citation noted that he is Vice-President of and a Fellow of the .
“(Professor Lu) has established long-term cooperative relations with many Chinese research institutes such as the (IMR) of the (CAS),” the citation said.
“Since he joined the overseas innovation collaboration team of CAS in 2003 as a core member of the Shenyang Interface Materials R&D Centre and guest research fellow of IMR, he has worked closely with IMR in many research areas and completed a number of international cooperation projects.
“Those activities have greatly promoted the rapid development of CAS in materials for clean energy, such as solar photocatalysis, energy storage and hydrogen storage.
“He has also made great efforts in the training of Chinese young professionals in the field of new energy materials, and promoting cooperation between China and the , as well as the ."
Ms Jen Tyrell from the Australian Embassy in attended the ceremony, and the subsequent meeting between Professor Lu and Vice Premier Liu Yandong.
, Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), noted that Professor Lu first came to Â鶹ÊÓƵ as a PhD scholarship student.
“Luckily for us, he stayed on,” Professor Lawson said.
“Max’s research at Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s and later the has pushed Â鶹ÊÓƵ to the forefront of the world in nanotechnology.
“This field holds the keys to making various types of renewable power viable for future global energy needs, so Max’s research understandably has drawn worldwide attention.
“Max’s children went to Queensland schools and one is now studying at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. His is a real Â鶹ÊÓƵ success story.”
The has written to Professor Lu to congratulate him on the award.
"I would like to express the 's gratitude for your contribution to the development of Australia-China science and research collaboration and thank you for helping us to build an enduring relationship with a key science partner," Senator Evans wrote.
Senator Evans said it was apparent on his recent visit to that senior leaders in the held Professor Lu's achievements in high regard.
"In particular, the high impact of your research output, your commitment to excellence and your tireless support for young researchers is well known," Senator Evans said.
"This was also recognised by the when you received their award for International Cooperation in Science and Technology for 2010."
Media: Fiona Cameron, Â鶹ÊÓƵ , ph +61 7 3846 7086 email: communications@uq.edu.au
