Distinguished Einstein Professorship to Flemming Besenbacher
2009.10.14
Media release
Distinguished Einstein Professorship to Mr Nano from Aarhus University
On 14 October 2009, Professor Flemming Besenbacher, Aarhus University, was the first Dane to be appointed Einstein Professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Professor Besenbacher is Director of the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO) at Aarhus University. He is also referred to as Denmark’s Mr Nano, and is considered one of the leading nano researchers in the world. Professor Besenbacher has previously received a number of major distinctions for his ground-breaking research, and is now the first Dane to be awarded an Einstein Professorship at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing.
Since 2005, this Chinese distinction has been awarded to 10–15 top international researchers annually, including many former Nobel Laureates. The award aims to strengthen collaboration between Chinese research institutions and top international researchers.
In conjunction with the prize-giving ceremony, Professor Besenbacher will spend a fortnight in China and give lectures at institutes in Beijing, Shanghai and Changchun.
“The Einstein Professorship is a personal distinction, of course, but is also definitely a recognition of my group’s excellent research over the years and the overall contacts between Aarhus University and China – particularly in nano research,” says Professor Besenbacher.
The Chinese title of honour will be presented to Professor Besenbacher a few days before the inauguration of the Danish University Centre in Beijing.
“The Chinese are focusing significantly on nanoscience and nanotechnology nowadays, and we have been wise in formulating a China strategy for knowledge collaboration, both nationally and at Aarhus University. Chinese research is growing rapidly, and both parties can benefit considerably from close collaboration,” says Professor Besenbacher, who is looking forward to taking part in the opening of the Danish University Centre on Monday 19 October.
The Danish University Centre is the result of collaboration between CAS and all eight universities in Denmark. The buildings on the new CAS campus in Yanqihu, north of Beijing, will be ready by 2012.
Research priority areas at CAS definitely include nano research. The iNANO centre recently received a major grant from the Danish National Research Foundation for Sino-Danish collaboration with research into molecular self-assembly.
See also a brief interview with Professor Besenbacher (in Danish only) at http://www.podcast.au.dk/
More information
Professor Flemming Besenbacher, mobile +45 2338 2204, fbe@inano.au.dk (N.B. the time difference between Denmark and China is +6 hours and interviews should preferably be arranged via SMS or e-mail), www.inano.dk/besenbacher.
Head of Press Affairs Anders Correll
Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Aarhus University
+45 8942 2331
mobile +45 2899 2235
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