Dr. Qidong Wang
(PhD 1951 in Mechanical Engineering)
Dr. Wang is retired vice president of academic affairs of Zhejiang
University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, former vice
chairman of the standing committee of the Zhejiang Provincial Congress,
and retired member of the standing committee of the National Congress
of the Peoples’ Republic of China. He is Honorary Chairman of
the Academic Council of Zhejiang Institute of Science and Technology,
Honorary President of Taizhou Radio and Television University, and
Honorary President of Zhejiang Association of Science and Technology.
Dr. Wang received a BS degree from Zhejiang
University, an MS degree from Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA,
and a PhD degree from The University of Iowa in 1951—all in
mechanical engineering. He returned to China
as an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Zhejiang University
in 1951. With colleagues, Dr. Wang created a foundry technology specialization,
translating Russian textbooks into Chinese. They ultimately published
a complete set of textbooks suitable for college students to master
foundry technology.
In 1978, he became vice president of Zhejiang University, as well as being named dean of the newly established Graduate College and head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Dr. Wang organized a research group on hydrogen storage alloy which published more than 250 papers, received seven patents, and earned six national and provincial awards. As a result, he was elected a member of the International Steering Committee of the International Symposium on Metal Hydrogen Systems.
Dr. Wang has worked for disseminating scientific knowledge and modern techniques throughout China. As president of the Zhejiang Association of Science and Technology, he raised funds for building the Zhejiang Museum of Science and Technology and for sending technical consultants to help farmers cultivate new crops.
In 1990, he was elected a member of the National Congress of the People’s Republic of China. Through careful study of Western countries, he introduced legislation which became laws governing the privilege of individuals to run primary schools, middle schools, colleges, and universities; the right of individuals to establish and run private scientific research institutions; the right of individuals to work for other factories in their leisure time; and protecting the environment and conservation of natural resources.