By Li Han

Staff Writer of the Tsinghua News Center

On May 16th Tsinghua University formed an expert team to provide technological support to the earthquake-hit area. The team is composed of experts in architecture, civil engineering, hydropower, environmental sciences, and public safety and led by seven academicians.

Department of Civil Engineering Professor Chen Zhaoyuan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, is Director of the expert team. Academician Wu Liangyong in architecture and urban planning, Academician Qian Yi in water pollution prevention systems, Academician Zhang Chuhan in the structure of water conservancy works and antiseismic capacity, Academician Wang Sijing in environmental engineering and rock mechanics, Academician Fan Weicheng in safety science and engineering, and Academician Jiang Yi in artificial environment engineering are also members of the team.

"Tsinghua has a social responsibility to provide full support to the earthquake-hit area. Tsinghua teachers and students also want to help", Tsinghua President Gu Binglin said. 

Besides the experts and faculty who have already gone to the earthquake-hit area to provide support, another group of 20 experts, headed by Tsinghua Deputy President Chen Jining, flew to Sichuan on May 19.

Tsinghua teachers and students actively contributed their help as well to the earthquake-hit area. More than 1,000 students and teachers joined in to support the blood donation drive. Some students doing research in Sichuan participated as volunteers in the relief activities. Up to May 19, Tsinghua teachers, students and staff have donated a total of nearly RMB 10 million for relief efforts in the earthquake devastated area.

       (Tsinghua students and teachers mourn the victims of the Wenchuan earthquake)