According to the official WeChat of Beijing Normal University on October 26, the famous physicist and Nobel Prize winner in physics Yang Zhenning established the position of "Yang Zhenning Chair Professor" at Beijing Normal University. The "Beijing Normal University Xu Shubin Wei Qingxian Physics Talent Fund " was donated by alumni of the Department of Physics of Beijing Normal University and alumni of the Department of Physics. It invests 1 million yuan per year as a lecture professor special allowance to attract high-level leading talents to work full-time in the Department of Physics and accelerate the construction of world-class physics disciplines.
2022 marks the 120th anniversary of the founding of Beijing Normal University, and the Department of Physics of Beijing Normal University will also celebrate its 100th anniversary. An information signed by Yang Zhenning shows that on October 1 this year, Yang Zhenning officially made this decision on his 100th birthday: "The position of 'Yang Zhenning Chair Professor' was specially established at Beijing Normal University."
According to reports, Yang Zhenning has a deep relationship with Beijing Normal University. Yang Zhenning's father, Yang Wuzhi, graduated from the Department of Mathematics and Sciences of Beijing Higher Normal School in 21918 (later renamed Beijing Normal University) and is an outstanding alumnus of Beijing Normal University.
Yang Zhenning has been invited to Beijing Normal University to give lectures or hold discussions with teachers and students many times. In May 1999, Yang Zhenning delivered a speech "Science, Technology and University" at the British East Academic Hall of Beijing Normal University, which was his first domestic report meeting after retirement. He pointed out that science, technology, economy and university are the four most important areas that drive mankind forward. He emphasized that the main purpose of universities is education, and one of the increasing roles is to promote the development of science and technology. To achieve this, we must promote innovation, and school teachers and students must have an innovative spirit.
In May 2017, Mr. Yang Zhenning visited the 13th Physical Culture Festival of Beijing Normal University. He recalled his years of study and shared three blessings in his life with teachers and students. The first thing is the unforgettable experience of studying Southwest Associated University . "Here, the two mentors led me to the correct path of research." Seven years of UN General Assembly have laid a solid foundation for Yang Zhenning's lifelong learning. In a special historical period of danger and extreme lack of material life, "I dare not forget the responsibility and mission of saving the nation and studying hard for a moment." The second thing is to enter the Department of Physics of the University of Chicago, the best physics department in the world at that time, and study hard. Here, the most top physics master in the 20th century taught him what direction to go in and what methods to use to do research on a solid foundation. The third thing happened in 1946, when strange particles were discovered internationally. Yang Zhenning said that he "had been fortunate to catch up with the germination and growth stage of the new field of high-energy physics ."
Recalling the hardships of study and the simple teaching conditions back then, Yang Zhenning was infinitely moved by the rapid development of the motherland over the past decades. When writing a message to teachers and students, he left five meaningful words - to seize the opportunity. "China is gradually moving towards the world's leading position. You have grown up in such a fast-growing country. I hope each of you will seize this hard-won opportunity."
