YNU to establish astronomy research and education center

Representatives pose for a group photo on Jan 11 at the signing ceremony for the agreement to build an astronomy research and education center at YNU. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

The Shanghai Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan University (YNU) signed a cooperation agreement on Jan 11 to co-build an astronomy research and education center.

Representatives from the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, YNU and the South-Western Institute for Astronomy Research participated in the signing ceremony held at the university, which is in Kunming, the capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province.

The cooperation agreement was signed by Shen Zhiqiang, director of the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, and Zhang Li, vice-president of YNU.

The center, established at YNU, will use the advantages of the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory in terms of observation equipment and scientific research to promote the development of the astronomy discipline at YNU.

Zhang thanked attendees for their long-term support of the university's development in the field of astronomy. He added that he hopes the center's establishment will further strengthen the cooperation between the two sides and promote the overall development of YNU's astronomy program.

Shen put forward suggestions and plans for the partnership, suggesting that the two sides can deepen collaboration in scientific research, project application, and personnel training to advance astronomy development in China.