Dr. Xue Zhigang becomes a professor at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering in China
Acquired PhD in polymer chemistry at Yeungnam University in 2009
[November 1, 2011]

 A Chinese student who earned his doctorates at Yeungnam University recently returned home in glory as a professor of one of China’s most respected universities.

 
 Xue Zhigang (32, photo), who majored in polymer chemistry at the Yeungnam University Graduate School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, earned his PhD in February 2009. He was hired as a professor at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

 Huazhong University of Science and Technology is a hub university of the ‘985 Project’ and ‘212 Project’ that concentrates support on fostering world-class universities by the Chinese government. In 2011, it was ranked ninth in the university rankings of China. It is said to be second only behind Tsinghua University among science and engineering universities.

 Dr. Xue earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Lanzhou University, which is a sister university of Yeungnam University, and enrolled in the Yeungnam University Graduate School PhD program in March 2005. During this course, he was the center of attention for his extraordinary research achievements such as publishing 7 SCI theses. In particular, he also published a thesis on 《Angewandte Chemie》, which is one of world’s most recognized journals in the chemistry sector with an impact factor of 11.829, being recognized worldwide.

 Thanks to such achievements, he was selected in 2008 by the Chinese government to be the most excellent Chinese student in a doctorate program studying in Korea and thus received a separate scholarship as well. After receiving his PhD from Yeungnam University in February 2009, he went on to work on his post-doc at the French CNRS (Centre National de la Researche Scientifique).

 Professor Noh, Seok-kyun (56, School of Chemical Engineering), who provided guidance for his PhD thesis, stated, “In addition to his outstanding research performance, he had a diligent attitude and easy-going personality, making it possible for him to maintain amicable relations with his colleagues. He truly was a student with a bright and promising future.” He added, “I am very happy that we have one more Yeungnam University School of Chemical Engineering alumni being recognized in the global arena.”

 
 Dr. Xue Zhigang (far left) and Professor Noh, Seok-kyun (center, sitting) and colleagues in the lab pose for a photo.