Peking University, March 20, 2024: Professor Gérard Albert Mourou, 2018 Laureate of the Nobel Prize in Physics, visited Peking University (PKU) recently and engaged in friendly interactions with faculty members and students. The French physicist was also awarded an honorary doctorate from PKU.

Mourou's visit holds particular significance amidst PKU's dedication to elevating disciplinary excellence. Hao Ping, council chair of PKU, extended a warm welcome to Mourou and expressed confidence in China-France cooperation in education and academia. 

During his stay at PKU, Mourou delivered a lecture titled "Extreme Optics: A Bridge between Optics and Fundamental High Energy Physics" at the Yingjie Overseas Exchange Center of PKU, shedding light on the development of extreme optics. 

PKU conferred Mourou an honorary doctorate during a ceremony held on the following day at Linhuxuan. At the event, PKU President Gong Qihuang congratulated Mourou on his achievement, and Mourou expressed his anticipation for further collaboration with PKU to advance scientific research.
 

Mourou (right) receives a souvenir from Hao Ping

  

Mourou receives the honorary doctorate certificate from Gong Qihuang

In a special endeavor during his visit, Mourou toured the Beijing Laser Acceleration Innovation Center, immersing himself in discussions with the research team to deepen his understanding of the facility's capabilities and ongoing research. This interaction enriched Mourou's insights and laid a strong foundation for future collaborations between Mourou’s and PKU’s research teams.
 

Group photo at the Beijing Laser Acceleration Innovation Center

Other notable attendees of the visit include Zhang Jin, vice president of PKU, Fang Fang, vice president of Peking University, and Marc Daumas, counselor for Higher Education, Research, and Innovation of the French Embassy in China.

Written by: Sean Elijah Tan
Edited by: Wu Jiayun
Source: PKU Office of International Relations