OBITUARY——Wei Shoukun, 107, Beijing, China

Mr. Wei was born on Sept. 16^th, 1907 in Tianjin. Having graduated from the Department of Mining and Metallurgy in 1929 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, he stayed at Peiyang University to teach; and in 1935 he obtained his doctorate in engineering from the Department of Chemistry of Dresden University of Technology in Germany. From then on to 1936, Mr. Wei engaged himself in research at the Institute of Steel Metallurgy of RWTH Aachen University. Thereafter in 1936, he went back to Peiyang University to be a professor. After the July 7 Incident of 1937, Mr. Wei became a professor and dean of many universities including Northwest Union University, Northwest Engineering College and Chongqing University to support their construction; and he had also become an office director and acting director of the Chongqing Institute of Mining at that time. From 1946 to 1952, Mr. Wei had been a professor, dean and the president of the School of Engineering at Peiyang University, professor and dean of Tangshan Jiaotong University and vice-dean of studies at Tianjin University. In 1952, he participated in the establishment of Beijing Institute of Iron and Steel Technology, and thereafter served as the dean of the Department of Smelting, library director and vice-president of the school. He was rated as a first-grade professor by the Ministry of Education in 1956 and elected into Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1980. Mr. Wei was also a member of Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC and its standing committee, member of the standing committee of the central committee of Jiusan Society and director of its culture and education committee.

Mr. Wei had made groundbreaking contributions to developing the theory and practice of metallurgy, especially to the application of high temperature activity theory, selective oxidation theory and metallurgical thermodynamic theories in the extraction of metal from China’s unique mineral resources. The significant achievements that he made in the comprehensive utilization of resources have left a far-reaching influence both at home and abroad. Mr. Wei had altogether published 140 academic papers and 5 monographs, and had won the National Natural Science Award, the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Award and many other awards. He used to be the secretary general of the preparatory committee of the Chinese Society for Metals, and had long served as an executive director of that society and the Nonferrous Metals Society of China. He had also been the president of the Society of Physical Chemistry of Metallurgical Processes, member of China Association of Higher Education, honorary member of the Iron and Steel Institute of Japan and member of the State Council Academic Degrees Committee.

Mr. Wei dedicated his life to scientific studies and education. Indifferent to fame and fortune, he demonstrated lofty scientific spirits and noble personality. During his 84 years devoted to teaching, Mr. Wei had accomplished a large number of academic works and educated numerous students. His great contributions to the development of higher education and metallurgical science in China will always be cherished.

The death of Mr. Wei is a great loss to Chinese education, to metallurgical science and to the University of Science and Technology Beijing. We painfully mourn Mr. Wei and shall engrave his immortal image forever on our mind. 

Mr. Wei’s funeral service is scheduled at 9:00 am on July 6^th, 2014 in the east hall of Beijing Babaoshan Funeral Home. You can either gather at the No.2 South Gate of USTB and take the bus to the venue or go there by yourself.

       

Tel: 8610-62334914；8610-62332265

Fax: 8610-62332265

Contact: Zhang Bainian

 

Mr. Wei Shoukun’s Funeral Committee, USTB

 

 

 

 

 

Uploaded：2014-07-03 08:34:18

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