Wan Gang
Encyclopedia
Wan Gang is a Chinese
expert on automobile
s, former president of Tongji University
(2002-2007) and the Minister of Science and Technology
of PRC
.
. In 1979, he did his postgraduate study on experimental mechanics
in Structural Theories Research Institute of Tongji University
and won the master degree in 1981.
During the same year, he stayed on campus and taught mathematics
and mechanics
. In 1985, he went to Germany
as a visiting scholar and doctoral
candidate of Department of Mechanical Engineering
in Clausthal University of Technology
and won Ph.D (Dr. Ing.) with good honor five years later. Mr. Wan is the first minister in at least three decades who is not a member of the Communist Party.
In 1991, Dr. Wan began to work in German Audi
Corporation, in charge of computer virtualization of automobile
in the R&D Department. Soon he originated a distinctive auto-developing system for the company. In 1996, he was promoted to technical manager in production and technology division, and took charge of informational manufacturing technology as well as management. His leadership and contribution in many technological innovations facilitated the production of Audi A4
, car of a new generation, thus winning for the company huge economic profits. In 1994 and 1995, he was consecutively invited as guest professor
and doctoral supervisor of Clausthal University of Technology
and of Tongji University
. Under his instruction, his German doctoral candidates successfully carried out a researching project on fuel cell
and they filled the blank of this field then and there.
In the year of 2000, Dr. Wan made a strategic proposal (“Regarding Development of Automobile New Clean Energy as the Starting Line for Leap- Forward of China’s Automobile Industry ”) to the State Council of China to develop a new type of automobile propelled by new clean fuel, with a view to ushering Chinese auto industry onto a new stage. His proposal received the attention and support from the Ministry of Science and Technology
and the State Economic and Trade Commission
. By the end of 2000, he returned China upon the invitation of the Ministry of Science and Technology
and appointed as chief scientist and group leader of the 863 Program
key electric automobile projects assigned by Ministry of Science and Technology
. Also, he took the responsibility of major supervisor to handle the most demanding part in this project ---- the developing of fuel cell
sedan, which deals with the most complicated technologies as well as the heaviest working load. This project was nominated as one of the “Ten Greatest Scientific and Technological Progresses of Chinese Higher Schools in 2005”.
In 2002, Dr. Wan worked as Assistant President of Tongji
; in 2003, Vice (Acting) President of Tongji
; in July 2004, President of Tongji
. He was also the founding dean of New Fuelled Automobile Engineering Center, Tongji University
.
Dr. Wan is a member of the standing committee
of the 10th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
. He has been chairman of the China Zhi Gong Party since December 2007 and a vice president in the Association for Science and Technology of Shanghai since 2006.
Dr. Wan was appointed the Minister of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China on April 27, 2007. He is the first cabinet minister from a non-Communist party since the late 1970s when China launched its economic reform and opening-up drive.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
expert on automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s, former president of Tongji University
Tongji University
Tongji University , colloquially known as Tongji , located in Shanghai, has more than 30,000 students and 8,000 staff members . It offers degree programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels...
(2002-2007) and the Minister of Science and Technology
Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China
The Ministry of Science and Technology , formerly as State Science and Technology Commission , is a ministry of the government of the People's Republic of China which coordinates science and technology activities in the country....
of PRC
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
.
Biography
Wan graduated from Northeast Forestry UniversityNortheast Forestry University
Northeast Forestry University , located in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, is an institution of higher education and research under jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, serve as the largest forestry university in China and a key university within the scope of...
. In 1979, he did his postgraduate study on experimental mechanics
Mechanics
Mechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the behavior of physical bodies when subjected to forces or displacements, and the subsequent effects of the bodies on their environment....
in Structural Theories Research Institute of Tongji University
Tongji University
Tongji University , colloquially known as Tongji , located in Shanghai, has more than 30,000 students and 8,000 staff members . It offers degree programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels...
and won the master degree in 1981.
During the same year, he stayed on campus and taught mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and mechanics
Mechanics
Mechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the behavior of physical bodies when subjected to forces or displacements, and the subsequent effects of the bodies on their environment....
. In 1985, he went to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
as a visiting scholar and doctoral
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
candidate of Department of Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
in Clausthal University of Technology
Clausthal University of Technology
The Clausthal University of Technology is an institute of technology in Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Lower Saxony, Germany...
and won Ph.D (Dr. Ing.) with good honor five years later. Mr. Wan is the first minister in at least three decades who is not a member of the Communist Party.
In 1991, Dr. Wan began to work in German Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
Corporation, in charge of computer virtualization of automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
in the R&D Department. Soon he originated a distinctive auto-developing system for the company. In 1996, he was promoted to technical manager in production and technology division, and took charge of informational manufacturing technology as well as management. His leadership and contribution in many technological innovations facilitated the production of Audi A4
Audi A4
The first generation Audi A4 debuted in 1994, with production starting November 1994. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat . It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive...
, car of a new generation, thus winning for the company huge economic profits. In 1994 and 1995, he was consecutively invited as guest professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
and doctoral supervisor of Clausthal University of Technology
Clausthal University of Technology
The Clausthal University of Technology is an institute of technology in Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Lower Saxony, Germany...
and of Tongji University
Tongji University
Tongji University , colloquially known as Tongji , located in Shanghai, has more than 30,000 students and 8,000 staff members . It offers degree programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels...
. Under his instruction, his German doctoral candidates successfully carried out a researching project on fuel cell
Fuel cell
A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas and alcohols like methanol are sometimes used...
and they filled the blank of this field then and there.
In the year of 2000, Dr. Wan made a strategic proposal (“Regarding Development of Automobile New Clean Energy as the Starting Line for Leap- Forward of China’s Automobile Industry ”) to the State Council of China to develop a new type of automobile propelled by new clean fuel, with a view to ushering Chinese auto industry onto a new stage. His proposal received the attention and support from the Ministry of Science and Technology
Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China
The Ministry of Science and Technology , formerly as State Science and Technology Commission , is a ministry of the government of the People's Republic of China which coordinates science and technology activities in the country....
and the State Economic and Trade Commission
Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China
The Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China , formerly Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation is an executive agency of the State Council of China...
. By the end of 2000, he returned China upon the invitation of the Ministry of Science and Technology
Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China
The Ministry of Science and Technology , formerly as State Science and Technology Commission , is a ministry of the government of the People's Republic of China which coordinates science and technology activities in the country....
and appointed as chief scientist and group leader of the 863 Program
863 Program
The 863 program or State High-Tech Development Plan is a program funded and administered by the government of the People's Republic of China intended to stimulate the development of advanced technologies in a wide range of fields for the purpose of rendering China independent of financial...
key electric automobile projects assigned by Ministry of Science and Technology
Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China
The Ministry of Science and Technology , formerly as State Science and Technology Commission , is a ministry of the government of the People's Republic of China which coordinates science and technology activities in the country....
. Also, he took the responsibility of major supervisor to handle the most demanding part in this project ---- the developing of fuel cell
Fuel cell
A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas and alcohols like methanol are sometimes used...
sedan, which deals with the most complicated technologies as well as the heaviest working load. This project was nominated as one of the “Ten Greatest Scientific and Technological Progresses of Chinese Higher Schools in 2005”.
In 2002, Dr. Wan worked as Assistant President of Tongji
Tongji University
Tongji University , colloquially known as Tongji , located in Shanghai, has more than 30,000 students and 8,000 staff members . It offers degree programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels...
; in 2003, Vice (Acting) President of Tongji
Tongji University
Tongji University , colloquially known as Tongji , located in Shanghai, has more than 30,000 students and 8,000 staff members . It offers degree programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels...
; in July 2004, President of Tongji
Tongji University
Tongji University , colloquially known as Tongji , located in Shanghai, has more than 30,000 students and 8,000 staff members . It offers degree programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels...
. He was also the founding dean of New Fuelled Automobile Engineering Center, Tongji University
Tongji University
Tongji University , colloquially known as Tongji , located in Shanghai, has more than 30,000 students and 8,000 staff members . It offers degree programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels...
.
Dr. Wan is a member of the standing committee
Standing Committee
In the United States Congress, standing committees are permanent legislative panels established by the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate rules. . Because they have legislative jurisdiction, standing committees consider bills and issues and recommend measures for...
of the 10th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference [], shortened as 人民政协, Rénmín Zhèngxié, i.e. "People's PCC"; or just 政协, Zhèngxié, i.e. "The PCC"), abbreviated CPPCC, is a political advisory body in the People's Republic of China...
. He has been chairman of the China Zhi Gong Party since December 2007 and a vice president in the Association for Science and Technology of Shanghai since 2006.
Dr. Wan was appointed the Minister of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China on April 27, 2007. He is the first cabinet minister from a non-Communist party since the late 1970s when China launched its economic reform and opening-up drive.