QIAGEN and the University of Science and Technology of China Announce Establishment of “QIAGEN Initiative Foundation Professorship”

QIAGEN and the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) today announced the creation of the “QIAGEN Initiative Foundation Professorship” in a ceremony hosted by USTC.  The ceremony was presided over by Professor Hou Jianguo, President of USTC and Dr. Victor Shi, President, Asia Pacific of QIAGEN.  The sponsorship agreement has a term of 10 years and will create a full-time professor position at USTC in the field of life sciences.
 
“We are honored that QIAGEN has chosen to establish the sponsored professorship here at USTC,” said Professor Hou Jianguo, President of USTC and Academician, Academic Sinica.  “USTC was formed 51 years ago with the purpose of educating China’s premier scientists and equipping them to perform ground-breaking research.  QIAGEN’s support will not only enhance the study of life sciences at our university, but will also further support the world-class science being done here in China.”
 
 “We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work together with one of the premier science and technology universities in China to advance the study of life sciences,” said Dr. Victor Shi, President, Asia Pacific of QIAGEN.  “It is leading academic institutions such as USTC that train and prepare the next generation of young scientists who will eventually go on to revolutionize the field of life sciences.  We are excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the development of these students and to the science being performed here in China.”

A special committee comprised of leading scientists in the life sciences field has been created to execute the nomination and selection processes for the “QIAGEN Initiative Foundation Professor” position. The committee will consider all qualified academics and researchers located both domestically and internationally.  The nomination process is expected to last until mid-summer and the position is scheduled to be filled before the end of 2010.