Enjoying the pursuit of perfection

Xue Qikun, vice-president of Tsinghua University and winner of first prize in the State Natural Science Award

As a physicist, it is always a great joy to cross fresh frontiers and offer new directions for research. My scientific accomplishments have made me very proud and I am highly respected, but what makes me most happy is tutoring many excellent students.

In 1999, I returned to China after studying in Japan for eight years. Since then, I have trained more than 20 postdoctoral fellows and 72 doctoral students, many of whom are now professors. I am happy to know they are passing on my research philosophies and traditions when teaching their students.