Sponsored professorship to be in the field of life sciences
HEFEI, China, March 29 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- QIAGEN and the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) today announced the creation of the "QIAGEN Initiative Foundation Professorship" in a ceremony hosted by USTC. The ceremony was presided over by Professor Hou Jianguo, President of USTC and Dr. Victor Shi, President, Asia Pacific of QIAGEN. The sponsorship agreement has a term of 10 years and will create a full-time professor position at USTC in the field of life sciences.
"We are honored that QIAGEN has chosen to establish the sponsored professorship here at USTC," said Professor Hou Jianguo, President of USTC and Academician, Academic Sinica. "USTC was formed 51 years ago with the purpose of educating China's premier scientists and equipping them to perform ground-breaking research. QIAGEN's support will not only enhance the study of life sciences at our university, but will also further support the world-class science being done here in China."
"We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work together with one of the premier science and technology universities in China to advance the study of life sciences," said Dr. Victor Shi, President, Asia Pacific of QIAGEN. "It is leading academic institutions such as USTC that train and prepare the next generation of young scientists who will eventually go on to revolutionize the field of life sciences. We are excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the development of these students and to the science being performed here in China."
A special committee comprised of leading scientists in the life sciences field has been created to execute the nomination and selection processes for the "QIAGEN Initiative Foundation Professor" position. The committee will consider all qualified academics and researchers located both domestically and internationally. The nomination process is expected to last until mid-summer and the position is scheduled to be filled before the end of 2010.
About QIAGEN Asia Pacific:
QIAGEN Asia Pacific is the company's fastest-growing division. QIAGEN began its strategic expansion into the Asia Pacific region in 2005 and currently maintains 10 offices with over 500 employees in China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, India, and Australia. Including the subsidiary in Japan, QIAGEN's Asia Pacific operations currently contribute approximately 16 percent to QIAGEN's overall net sales. In 2006, QIAGEN received the Frost & Sullivan Award for Competitive Strategy Leadership in recognition of the company's strategic initiatives in the Asia Pacific molecular testing market.
About QIAGEN:
QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands holding company, is the leading global provider of sample and assay technologies. Sample technologies are used to isolate and process DNA, RNA, and proteins from biological samples such as blood or tissue. Assay technologies are used to make such isolated bio-molecules visible. QIAGEN has developed and markets more than 500 sample and assay products as well as automated solutions for such consumables. The company provides its products to molecular diagnostics laboratories, academic researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and applied testing customers for purposes such as forensics, animal or food testing, and pharmaceutical process control. QIAGEN's assay technologies include one of the broadest panels of molecular diagnostic tests available worldwide. This panel includes the digene HPV Test, which is regarded as a "gold standard" in testing for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer, as well as a broad suite of solutions for infectious disease testing and companion diagnostics. QIAGEN employs more than 3,500 people in over 30 locations worldwide. Further information about QIAGEN can be found at http://www.qiagen.com/ .
About USTC:
The University of Science and Technology of China is a world renowned national key university of science and technology established in the year 1958 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences that boasts 32 CAS and CAE academicians and 9 fellows of the Third World Academy of Sciences. USTC is well known for its emphasis on innovation. In 1978 the University started the first Junior Class for gifted students. Over the last 51 years USTC has come to be regarded as on of the best basic and scientific research universities in the country.
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