16 Facts About Qian Weichang

Qian Weichang or Chien Wei-zang was a Chinese physicist and applied mathematician, as well as academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Qian Weichang obtained a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto under the supervision of John Lighton Synge in 1942, and then worked as a research associate in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of Caltech.

In 1946, Qian Weichang returned to China and served as mechanics professor of Tsinghua University, Peking University and Yanjing University.

Qian Weichang was elected a founding academician of the CAS in 1955 and a foreign academician of the Polish Academy of Sciences in 1956.

Qian Weichang was appointed vice-president of the Tsinghua University at the same year, but was seen as a "rightist" during the anti-rightist campaign because he criticised the removal of science majors in the 1950s.

Qian Weichang was labelled an ultra-rightist in 1958, but this was redressed in 1983.

In 1982, Qian Weichang became president of Shanghai University of Technology, which had been turned into shambles after the consolidation of four institutions of higher education in 1994.

Qian Weichang was editor-in-chief of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, a member of the editorial boards of International Journal of Engineering Science, Advances in Applied Mechanics, Journal of Thin-walled Structure and Journal of Finite Elements in Analysis and Design.

Qian Weichang had been vice chairman of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference since 1987.

Qian Weichang was a specialist in applied mathematics, mechanics, physics, engineering science and Chinese information processing.

Qian Weichang was generally acknowledged as one of the pioneers and founders of modern mechanics undertakings in China.

Qian Weichang had published in academic monographs and hundreds of scientific papers.

Qian Weichang made great contribution to the engineering applications of sciences, such as the fluttering of airplanes, the design of submarines, armour penetration, the design of instruments and panpipe systems.

Qian Weichang believed that the key role of higher education is to bring up excellent new generations with prefect personality and advanced expertise.

Qian Weichang served as chairman of the Steering Committee of the Third International Conference on Linear Mechanics in Shanghai in 1998.

Qian Weichang died in Shanghai at 6:20AM on 30 July 2010.