Professor Xincheng Xie to join UNNC as new president

08 March 2024

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The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) marked a pivotal moment in its developmental trajectory with the appointment of Professor Xincheng Xie as its president. Professor Xie, a distinguished Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), assumes this role, becoming the second president of UNNC following its founding president Professor Fujia Yang.

Professor Xincheng Xie was born in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Science and Technology of China in 1982 and PhD from the University of Maryland in 1988. Afterwards, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington and the University of Maryland. He became a faculty member in the Department of Physics at Oklahoma State University in USA in 1991 and was named Regents Professor in 2004.

In 2002, Professor Xie joined the International Center for Quantum Structures (ICQS) of CAS and served as the director in 2005-2006. Between 2005 and 2010, he worked as Chief Scientist and Director of Laboratory of Condensed Matter Theory and Computation at the Institute of Physics, CAS. Professor Xie joined Peking University in 2010 as Chair Professor, Founding Director of International Center for Quantum Materials (2010-2011), and Dean of School of Physics at Peking University (2011-2018). He assumed the role of Divisional Director of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) in 2016, and Vice President of NSFC in 2018. Professor Xie was elected as a Member of CAS in 2015, a Fellow of TWAS in 2018, and a Fellow of American Physical Society in 2008.

Professor Xie has long been dedicated to theoretical research in condensed matter physics, with a particular focus on fostering deep integration between theory and experimental studies. Professor Xie’s main research interests include quantum Hall effect, quantum transport, topological matter and strongly correlated electron systems.

With years of research innovation, teaching and management experience at renowned universities at home and abroad, Professor Xie has profound insights into the development of China's higher education and the cultivation of research talents. He advocates a free and inclusive academic atmosphere, encourages an open and equal research style, respects students' personal development, and inspires students to boldly explore new fields. His personal experience and educational philosophy perfectly match with that of UNNC.

UNNC was established in 2004, with the full approval of the Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE) and was the first Sino-foreign university to open its doors in China. Its founding was listed in the "Foundation of China-60 Major Events in the 60 Years of Education in New China" compiled by MOE, and has received continuous attention from the governments of China and the UK. “The establishment of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China has created a model for combining higher education in China with high-quality educational resources from abroad. This in turn has set a precedent for China’s education to go to the world while also raising the level of higher education and injecting new vitality into its development,” President Xi remarked in 2006 at the founding ceremony of UNNC.

As a leader for international higher education innovation, UNNC insists on developing high-quality international education, fully leveraging the advantages of Sino-foreign cooperation and incorporating international and domestic educational and research resources to promote the development of teaching and learning as well as scientific research and cultivating world-class innovative talents with an international vision.

"The open and inclusive academic environment of UNNC has attracted top scholars and outstanding students from around the world, breaking the regional, cultural, and academic barriers to create a university without borders." Professor Xie expressed his great anticipation to work with all staff, students, and partners of UNNC to achieve more with a higher standard and a broader vision, further promoting its influence and building a more competitive international first-class higher education institute.

"Professor Xie not only enjoys a stellar reputation in the academic sphere but also possesses a profound insight into education and management. His arrival will infuse the university with fresh vitality and propel it forward on a path of broader development." Madam Yafen Xu, Chair of UNNC Board, believes that with the joint efforts of Professor Xie and UNNC staff and students, the university will undoubtedly achieve greater success and contribute more to local economic development of Ningbo.

Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Professor Xincheng Xie to join the University of Nottingham Ningbo China as the new president. I believe that his exemplary academic background and leadership will bring special insight and a new impetus to the development of UNNC. I look forward to working closely with Professor Xie to advance our vision for the University of Nottingham to be a university without borders”.