The Dean's Address
Peking University was the first institute of higher learning in modern China
to conduct education and research in physics. It has been nearly a century since
Peking University established its physics division in 1913. During our first
hundred years we have experienced not only hardship as pioneers but also the
heyday of the National Southwest Associated University period; both the vigorous
development at the foundation of the new country and the huge progress brought
by the policy of Reform and Opening Up. Generations of scholars here have
applied their combined vision, perseverance and innovation to produce strong
foundations for education and research in physics and across broader areas of
modern science within China. Today, the School of Physics in Peking University
is a highly renowned center for the cultivation of talent and research in
physics.
As it embarks on its second century, the Peking University School of Physics
establishes its new goal of developing into an internationally first-class
institution of physics education and academia. In order to achieve this aim, we
will continue our distinguished traditions, identify and focus on our
distinctive strengths, construct a scientific, efficient and sustainable
organization, attract and train outstanding talent, create a free and
cooperative environment, further develop our rigorous and truth-seeking academic
attitude, and cultivate a scholarly spirit of outstanding innovation and
excellence.
The root of our work lies in promoting physics research. My understanding of
many colleges and universities across the world suggests that we are rare in the
impressive breadth of our fields of study - both spatially and temporally - from
as big as universes and galaxies to as small as atoms and quarks, and both as
fast as attoseconds and as slow as billions of years. Research in the School of
Physics is not only devoted to the frontiers of fundamental physics but also to
the innovation of advanced technology as well as to the exploration of
interdisciplinary collaborations. We strive to lead the directions in which
physics research develops and look forward to making future breakthrough after
future breakthrough.
The center of our work is attracting and encouraging the growth of talent. We
have been engaging ourselves in discovering, attracting and training leading
creative, innovative talents, including distinguished established scholars and
outstanding young rising stars and students. We seek to provide favorable
research and living conditions for them along with a free, friendly and
inspiring working atmosphere and a sustainable environment in which to develop.
It is our belief that the true meaning of our lives here in the Peking
University School of Physics lies in the enthusiastic and persistent exploration
into the infinite world of the unknown.
To study the nature of things in order to acquire knowledge is a mission that
the School of Physics, Peking University has undertaken for nearly a hundred
years. Today, our school will continue to extend our great scholarly tradition
of "Diligence, Rigorousness, Truth, and Innovation". We will make down-to-earth,
united and active efforts in order to build our school into a leading institute
of physics education and research that not only plays a leading role in China
but also exerts an important impact on all over the world.
Prof. X. C. Xie
Dean of the School of Physics
Peking University
