By Li Han

Staff Writer of the Tsinghua News Center

Tsinghua University’s Comprehensive AIDS Research Center (CARC) was unveiled at an inauguration ceremony held on November 27. The Comprehensive AIDS Research Center is a cross-disciplinary research center co-established by Tsinghua University’s Schools of Medicine, Journalism and Communication, and Humanities and Social Sciences.

Dr. David D. Ho, currently Scientific Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center (ADARC), becomes CARC’s first Director. Dr. Zhang Linqi, also from ADARC, becomes CARC’s Deputy Director.

Professor Li Xiguang, Deputy Chair of the School of Journalism and Communication, becomes CARC’s Vice Director and Director of CARC’s Public Health Communication Institute. The Department of Sociology’s Professor Jing Jun also becomes a CARC Vice Director and Director of CARC’s AIDS Policy Research Institute.

Professor Chen Xi, Chairman of the Tsinghua University Council, presented the appointment book to Dr. Ho and gave an address at the ceremony. He noted that the establishment of the Center marks another major stride Tsinghua has made in medical science. “I believe that under the lead of Dr. Ho and Dr. Zhang, CARC will become a leading comprehensive AIDS research center in China and the world. It will make meaningful contributions to AIDS prevention in China and help Tsinghua to become a world-class university,” said Professor Chen.

Dr. Ho in his speech cited his cooperation with Tsinghua University. “This comprehensive AIDS research center will become a leading institution in the fight against HIV/AIDS, not only in China but also in the region and in the world. We shall endeavor to create and foster an academic culture which promotes imagination, innovation, and creativity,” said Dr. Ho.

Professor Chen and Ms. Zhao Baige, China’s Vice Minister of the National Population and Family Planning Commission, unveiled the center.

Also attending the ceremony were Ms. He Meiying, Chairman of Tsinghua’s Education Foundation, Tsinghua Vice President Chen Jining, representatives from international organizations, Chinese ministries and commissions, and AIDS research experts.

(Photo by Cui Kai)