China's Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang (R) and Jon Frampton, director of the University of Birmingham China Institute, unveil a blue plaque honoring Li Siguang at the University of Birmingham in Birmingham, Britain, June 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
Born in 1889, Chinese geologist Li Siguang studied geology at the University of Birmingham in the 1910s. In 1931, he received his doctorate at this university.
BIRMINGHAM, Britain, July 1 (Xinhua) -- A blue plaque honoring Li Siguang, a late Chinese geologist and founder of geological mechanics, was unveiled at the University of Birmingham on Thursday.
Born in 1889, Li studied geology at the University of Birmingham in the 1910s. Later he spent several years researching the geology of China, and his work greatly contributed to the discovery of China's major natural gas and oil fields in the 1950s. In 1931, he received his doctorate at the University of Birmingham. He died in 1971.
With this commemorative plaque, Li has joined an illustrious club of about two dozen famous people with ties to the university, including Norman Haworth, Nobel Prize laureate in chemistry, and well-known writer David Lodge.
Li Siguang, renowned Chinese geologist gives lessons in Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences. (Xinhua Photo)
Calling Li "one of the university's most famous Chinese alumni," Jon Frampton, director of the China Institute that operates on the university campus, recalled a series of lectures the institute organized in 2018 to mark the legacy of the famous geologist.
"We covered a wide range of disciplines through those lectures that are relevant to our academic engagement with China, including topics as diverse as sustainability, science diplomacy, and cultural understanding," Frampton said.
"The legacy of Li Siguang is very much alive here at the university. It's driving future-oriented collaborations with researchers in China," said William Bloss, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Birmingham.
Aerial photo taken on July 3, 2020 shows the scenery of Wudalianchi scenic spot in Heihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)
China's Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang said: "Li Siguang was a very accomplished academic and scientist. We're pleased that Li Siguang's legacy is alive and cherished at your great university."
He said the collaborations between the University of Birmingham and Chinese universities and research institutions will help to resolve the "common challenges" faced by the whole world. He also encouraged Chinese students studying at the University of Birmingham to try to rival Li's academic excellence. ■
