Sow-Hsin Chen Distinguished
Lectureship on Neutron Science and Technology
This Lectureship is
motivated by the recognition of the significance of the leading role that
National Tsing-Hua University (NTHU) has played in the development of nuclear
science and technology in Taiwan. In order to continue the promotion of the
cutting-edge neutron science and technology research in Taiwan, Professor
Sow-Hsin Chen, the Distinguish Honorary Chair Professor of the College of
Nuclear Science of NTHU, made a specific donation to thank his alma mater.
Professor Chen was a student in the first graduate class of the first “Graduate School of Nuclear Science” in Taiwan when NTHU
reestablished its campus in Hsinchu in 1956. During 1956-58, the late President
Mei Yi-Chi also served as the class' immediate advisor. President Mei's
constant care and encouragement to students have left permanent impression to
Academician Chen.
The specialty education in nuclear
science received by Academician Chen during his time at NTHU triggered his
interest in the field of nuclear physics. Immediately after his graduation, he
was chosen through a highly competitive national examination for receiving the
first IAEA fellowship to study the emerging nuclear technology in the US. He
then completed his Ph.D. in Inelastic Neutron Scattering Spectroscopy at
McMaster University in Canada under Nobel Laureate Bertram N. Brockhouse who invented this new and powerful spectrometry
at that time. Before joining the MIT faculty in 1968, he spent a year as a
research fellow at Harvard University under Nobel Laureate Nicolaas
N. Bloembergen. Professor Chen is one of the most distinguished international
experts in neutron- and x-ray scattering spectroscopy. He received many honors and
awards, including in 1985, he was elected as a Fellow of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science, and received the 1985 highest
German scientifi c award, Alexander von Humboldt US
Senior Scientist Award. In 2002, he received the MIT's lifetime Career
Accomplishment Award. He was elected as an Academician of the Academia Sinica in 2006, and in 2008, he received the highest award
of the Neutron Scattering Society of America, the Clifford G. Shull Prize,
named in memory of Nobel Laureate Shull of MIT with whom Prof. Chen also
collaborated. He is also the Fellow of the American Physical Society and the Neutron
Scattering Society of America.
The “Sow-Hsin Chen
Distinguished Lectureship on Neutron Science and Technology” is intended as a
permanent lectureship. The basic foundation funding is set to be NT$3 Millions, for which Academician Chen donates NT$1 Million
as the initial fund, while NTHU and its College of Nuclear Science will
contribute throughout the years with the other NT$2 Millions.
The Lectureship's activity will aim at one function per year or two years. Over
the years, internationally distinguished experts will be invited to visit NTHU,
and share their research and experience related to their own areas of
expertise. By doing so, the Lectureship hopes to broaden the academic vision of
our young scholars and help NTHU to strengthen its foundation in neutron
science and technology.
2012 is the 50th anniversary of the death
of President Mei. Thus, the establishment of this Lectureship takes on a
special meaning. It is not only in remembrance of President Mei's tremendous
contribution to NTHU, but also reinforces the spirit of continuing the
tradition for the sustainable development of nuclear science education and
research in Taiwan.
▲ The far right on
the back row is Sow-Hsin Chen