I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the death of Prof. YUAN Longping. As I recall my first meeting with Prof. YUAN at his home 20 years ago, his smile leaps before my eyes, and his inculcation still echoes in my ears.
In October 2000, Tongji University decided to establish the "Research Institute of Modern Agricultural Science & Engineering" to engage in the development of modern agricultural science and engineering by giving full play to its comprehensive strengths in disciplines such as automatic control, machinery, materials, environment, architectural planning, civil structure and heating & ventilation. As a higher education institution with special expertise in science and engineering, Tongji University's resolve to expand into agricultural sciences was applauded by a group of Chinese agricultural experts, including Prof. YUAN Longping.
On October 30, 2001, I, as the head of the Research Institute of Modern Agricultural Science & Engineering of Tongji University, took a personal letter entrusted by Prof. WU Qidi, then President of Tongji University, got on a train and headed for the house of Prof. YUAN in Changsha to present him a letter from Tongji University appointing him as an honorary professor. The next day when I arrived at Changsha Railway Station, I was greeted by a staff, who directly took me to the house of Prof. YUAN. My first view of Prof. YUAN filled me with shock, as he looked pretty much like a peasant with his plain clothes, skinny body and dark complexion. When I walked into the door, I saw him surrounded by several peasants asking about technical questions related to rice planting, and he looked like one of their family members. If it weren't for my escort, I really couldn’t tell who Prof. YUAN was.
Prof. YUAN graciously took my hand and asked me to sit down next to him on the couch in his living room. I explained my intentions, conveyed to him the greeting and invitation from President WU Qidi, and handed over to him the personal letter from President WU and the letter of appointment from Tongji University. After reading through the letter and listening to my introduction to Tongji's ambition of expanding into the sphere of modern agriculture, the achievements made by Tongji in tackling facility agriculture challenges and the approval it received from Ministry of Education to set up the Facility Agriculture Online Collaborative Research Center, Prof. YUAN said earnestly that he had devoted his life to the research of hybrid rice and knew that agriculture needs modern technologies and engineering techniques. He sincerely welcomed prestigious technology universities like Tongji to expand into the discipline of agriculture. He added that should more preeminent engineering or comprehensive universities attach greater importance to agriculture, China would be able to significantly speed up its agricultural modernization, and that's why he would happily accept the appointment of Honorary Professor at Tongji University. As the faculty member of a little-known agricultural school, he said, he was deeply honored to become an honorary professor of the well-known Tongji University. After inquiring in detail about the status quo and development plan of the Research Institute of Modern Agricultural Science & Engineering, he reminded me of the complexity of agricultural challenges and hoped Tongji could buckle down to the resolution of the challenges by digging deep into agriculture and harnessing the technologies from multiple engineering disciplines. He believed that years of steadfast and committed efforts would surely pay off. He also voiced his high expectations for Tongji University. When I asked Prof. YUAN to inscribe the name of the new institute, he readily agreed and immediately got up to the table to write down the characters, and asked his staff to photograph this precious moment. My eyes misted over as I watched him writing down the name of the Institute character by character and solemnly signing his name. These words conveyed his expectations for our younger generation.
Prof. YUAN Longping received guests
Prof. YUAN inscribed the name of the Institute
There was another thing that was equally impressive. As arranged by his staff, Prof. YUAN had lunch with us, and we chatted happily. After the meal, Prof. Yuan was still in high spirits. His staff then suggested him to play a violin piece, and he agreed readily. I was awed by his performance and realized that he was not only an admired scientist in agriculture, but also a multi-talented man in life.
Always keeping in mind the earnest teachings of Prof. YUAN, we have achieved a string of research results, including the Second Prize of National Science and Technology Progress Award. We will continue to follow the example of Prof. YUAN and strive to make greater contributions to the prosperous development of China.
We will remember you always, Prof. YUAN Longping, the "father of hybrid rice" who has devoted his life to the food security of all mankind.
Written by Prof. XU Lihong
Director-General of Tongji University Facility Agriculture Online Collaborative Research Center under the Ministry of Education
https://news.tongji.edu.cn/info/1003/77661.htm
