Peking University, Beijing, May. 10, 2010: The first annual symposium of UCLA-PKU Joint Research Institute in Science and Engineering (JRI) was held on May 6 local time in UCLA, USA. Prof. Lin Jianhua, Executive Vice President of Peking University and Prof. Li Xiaoming, Assistant President of Peking University, were invited to attend the symposium. 

At the Opening Ceremony, Prof. Lin Jianhua and Mr. Scott Waugh, UCLA Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, delivered opening speeches respectively. Prof. Lin Jianhua introduced the latest development in Chinese educational system and expressed the hope that JRI would promote collaborations between PKU and UCLA as well as enhance broader development prospects for the two universities. Then Dr. Entrikin, Vice Provost of International Studies in UCLA, Dr. Cong Jingsheng, Director of JRI and Prof. Li Xiaoming reviewed past exchange and collaborations, and also introduced current programs of JRI separately. 

     
Twelve PKU professors together with experts from other countries are present at the two-day symposium. The symposium will feature sessions addressing innovations in clean energy, advances in information technology and research in the life sciences. Each session will showcase new developments from leading faculty at both universities.

Background:
UCLA-PKU Joint Research Institute in Science and Engineering (JRI) was founded on June 16th, 2009. PKU President Zhou Qifeng and UCLA President Gene Block signed the co-operation agreement. JRL aims at providing a forum for exchanging the latest research results in science, engineering and medicine and cultivating young talent in those areas. Prof. Li Xiaoming from PKU and Prof. Cong Jingsheng from UCLA were appointed as co-directors of JRI. 56 PKU professors in science, engineering and medicine and 60 UCLA professors have joined JRI so far. UCLA President Gene Block and Mrs. Block paid a visit to Peking University on January 25th, 2010 and attended the Appointment Ceremony of Industry Advisory Board of JRL with PKU President Zhou Qifeng. Mr. Huang Wei, Vice Mayor of Beijing was designated as Chairman of JRL IAB.