Zhang Yu, graduate of the first class in Modern Mechanics Department of University of Science and Technology of China

This year marks Mr. Qian Xuesen's 100th birthday. Qian Xuesen is a world famous scientist and the founder of the aerospace industry of China. He is also one of the founders of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). He was the first Department Dean of Modern Mechanics Department (previously known as Mechanics and Mechanic Engineering) of USTC. 

As one of the graduates of the first class of Modern Mechanics Department, I deeply felt that Prof. Qian was not only an extraordinary scientist but also an educator with unique strategic mind and excellent organization and management capability.  

He put a lot of time and efforts into talent development and the result was dramatic. For example, among the 1000 students that were enrolled in the Modern Mechanics Department of USTC, which was led by Qian Xuesen, from 1958 to 1965 before the Cultural Revolution, seven were academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering. Among the 500 graduates of the year 1958 and 1959 that Qian tutored in person, five were academicians. On average, 1 in 100 was an academician. In addition, there were nine Generals out of the 1000 graduates. 

"I brought the canons of the Academy of Sciences for you."

Mr. Qian attached great importance to talent development. He never neglected the leading job in the Mechanics Department of USTC apart from the mission of state aerospace project and other busy schedules. At the beginning of the semester, he explained his education philosophy and education plan. I was impressed most by the following two points.

First, education should combine theory and practice, science and technology. He said, "Our goal is to train the students to become research engineers, who are engineering technology specialists with the capability for scientific research or scientists who know some engineering technology." He didn't agree to develop theoretical talents who had nothing to do with engineering technology and practice or technological talents who only knew engineering knowledge but lacked the spirit and capability for scientific exploration in USTC. In his opinion, the scientific and technological development in the future, especially cutting-edge scientific technology, requires the combination of theory and practice, science and technology. 

Second, effective course arrangement could help students lay a solid foundation. In his opinion, the development of science and technology was related to the overlapping and merging of different disciplines. In his words, the knowledge structure should be like a pyramid so that the after-effect could be strong. The elementary course and professional course highlighted the advancement and foresight as they were closely related to the latest development of the scientific and technological development in the world.

In order to help the students lay a good foundation, Mr. Qian Xuesen hired the best scientists to give lectures. I still remember now that when he announced the faculty list at the department meeting, he said excitedly, "I brought you the canons of the Academy of Sciences to you!"

None of us could imagine Yan Jici, the famous physicist taught us General Physics, mathematician Wu Wenjun taught us Advanced Mathematics. In junior and senior years, Bian Yingui, experts in hydromechanics came to teach Hydromechanics.

In my senior year, Mr. Qian opened a new class Introduction of Astronavigation and taught by himself. Taking his course was a kind of study as well as an enjoyment. 

Many people had said that attending Mr. Qian's class was a happy thing and I couldn't agree more. However, it should be noted that it was not because of his critical attitude in science but because of his impeccable lectures. Everything in his class, the contents, rich information, rigorous logic, simple and precise language, teaching skills as well as tidy and neat blackboard writing, was amazing. We should say that Mr. Qian showed his personality and style as an excellent educator and scientist in his classes.The course was completed at the beginning of 1962. In 1963, every student in his lecture received a book from Mr. Qian and the book was his lecture notes for Introduction of Astronavigation.

In the autumn and winter of 1958, a rocket development team was established in the university with the students as the main members. We developed a small rocket with an aluminum shell that was about 1m long with a diameter of about 10cm. Medium carbon steel was used as the solid engine wall and supersonic nozzle material. Double-base propellant (nitro cotton and nitro glycerin as the main ingredients), which was used for fighter plane pilot to parachute in emergencies, was loaded in the rocket. We launched the rocket to an altitude of about 5000m.

Mr. Qian participated in our rocket team and gave us some guidance in time. Being told of our preliminary result, he joked, "You're on the right track. You can make a good fortune out of science." In terms of how to make improvements, he proposed some specific suggestions, both oral and written. 

Mr. Qian had participated in the discussion of the rocket team and guided the rocket development and research for many times. In 1960, "using localized methods and combining local and western methods" was advocated nationwide. On a university scientific research report meeting, an expert suggested to use cement or porcelain to make supersonic nozzle in order to reduce cost. Mr. Qian didn't agree with the suggestion and said, "When it's necessary to use the western method, we should stick to it." He objected repeating what others say without thinking but respected facts and science.

As the small rocket became well developed, many students wanted to develop big rockets. For the first step, they planned to develop high-altitude rocket with a firing range of 75km. Mr. Qian gave us timely and correct guidance. He pointed out that developing a big rocket needed the support from the central government. He suggested that we be pragmatic and consider how to apply our scientific research accomplishment in civil economic construction. To be more specific, he suggested that we work with the Weather Control Office of Geophysics Department of Chinese Academy of Science as well as Central Meteorological Bureau of China. The small rocket could be used as a carrier in artificial rainfall and rain enhancement by taking the rainfall catalyst to the cloud, or could be used in hail elimination for agriculture and weather control. 

This scientific research practice had a profound influence in developing innovative spirit and ability, establishing an academic style of combining theory with practice and of applying scientific research in civil economic construction. Mr. Qian has been always a solid supporter and guide for this scientific activity.  

By studying, research and promoting Mr. Qian Xuesen's education philosophy and practice, not only can our education theory be enriched but also is significant to develop innovation-oriented talents and make a brighter future. 

(Published in People's Daily, P13 on December 9, 2011)