The 2023 Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation (HLHL) Award Ceremony was held in Beijing on December 19, granting science and technology awards to 56 outstanding scientists. One professor and six alumni of Beihang University were honored with the award.
Alunmus Qi Faren was awarded the HLHL Prize for Scientific and Technological Achievements, the highest honor of this award. Alunmi Feng Zhihai, Zhang Xiaohong, Li Dong and Li Decai were honored with the HLHL Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress. Alunmus Lin Songtao and Professor Zhao Lidong from the School of Materials Science and Engineering were granted the HLHL Prize for Scientific and Technological Innovation.
The Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation was established in 1994 by patriotic financiers Ho Sin Hang, Leung Kau Kui, Ho Tim, and Lee Kuon Wei, aimed at rewarding outstanding and innovative Chinese scientists and promoting science and technology development in the country. Over the past 29 years, a total of 1,526 scientific and technological professionals have been awarded this prize. The 2023 HLHL Prizes were conferred upon 56 scientists, including one for Scientific and Technological Achievements, 32 for Scientific and Technological Progress, and 23 for Scientific and Technological Innovation.
HLHL Prize for Scientific and Technological Achievements
Qi Faren
Qi Faren, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, is an undergraduate alumnus of Beihang University. He is also honorary dean of Beihang University School of Astronautics, and a technical advisor at the China Academy of Space Technology. Qi is a renowned space technology expert in China, serving as the chief designer of the Shenzhou spacecraft. He made systematic and creative contributions in the fields of manned spacecraft, satellites, aerospace components, and strategic development of space activities. He proposed a development roadmap for manned spacecraft that suits China’s national conditions and led his team to navigate complex key technologies in manned spacecraft, successfully completing missions from the unmanned “Shenzhou 1” to the manned “Shenzhou 6”, laying a solid foundation for China’s space laboratory and space station missions. He also played a vital role in the launch of “Dongfanghong-1” satellite and overcame numerous technical challenges for “Dongfanghong-2” and “Dongfanghong-3”, making important contributions to China’s communication satellite development. He has also cultivated batches of talents in technological innovation and engineering management to serve for the country’s aviation industry.
HLHL Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress
Metallurgical Material Technology Award
Feng Zhihai
Feng Zhihai, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, is an undergraduate alumnus of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Beihang University and a senior engineer at the Institute of Aerospace Materials and Processes.
Metallurgical Material Technology Award
Zhang Xiaohong
Zhang Xiaohong was admitted to the School of Materials Science and Engineering of Beihang University as an undergraduate in 1985 and a graduate student in 1989. He currently serves as the Secretary of the Party Committee at Soochow University.
Engineering Construction Technology Award
Li Dong
Li Dong, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, was admitted to the School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering as an undergraduate in 1985 and the School of Astronautics as a PhD student in 2012. He is the chief designer and senior engineer at the First Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Mechanical and Electrical Technology Award
Li Decai
Li Decai enrolled in the School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation of Beihang University as a graduate student in 1989. He currently serves as a tenured professor and doctoral supervisor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University.
HLHL Prize for Scientific and Technological Innovation
Industrial Innovation Award
Lin Songtao
Lin Songtao, an undergraduate alumnus of the School of Astronautics, is now the Deputy Chief Engineer at the China Metallurgical Construction Research Institute.
Youth Innovation Award
Zhao Lidong
Zhao Lidong is a professor, a doctoral supervisor, and Deputy Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Beihang University. Zhao boasts the titles of national-level leading talent, Young Investigator of the International Thermoelectric Society, advanced individual among overseas Chinese returnees, Young Scientist Award of the International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS), and globally highly cited researcher according to Clarivate Analytics (2019-2023). He has published more than 300 research papers, with over 37,000 citations. Currently, he serves as the founding editor-in-chief of Materials Lab and has edited the series Research on New Thermoelectric Materials, which is included in the Specialized Books of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s “14th Five-Year Plan”, National Publication Fund, and the publication plan of key national publications in the “14th Five-Year Plan”.
Reviewed by: Li Jianwei
Edited by: Jia Aiping
Translated by: Han Xu
