Professor Werner Nau awarded two of China's highest honors in recognition of international scientific contributions
One of China's most prestigious awards followed by a historic invitation to meet Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. For Constructor University Professor Werner Nau, these dual honors were more than a career milestone. They were the culmination of 15 years of dedication to collaborative research and partnership-building as a foreign expert in China.
In December, Prof. Nau was announced as the recipient of the Qilu Friendship Award, Shandong Province’s highest honor for foreign experts – non-Chinese professionals working in fields critical to social and economic development. As a result, Prof. Nau became the first foreign expert from the China University of Petroleum to receive an invitation to Premier Li Qiang’s Spring Festival Symposium in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
At the February 13 symposium, Premier Li thanked Prof. Nau alongside other distinguished foreign experts for their longstanding contributions to research and development in China. Premier Li emphasized China’s commitment to international cooperation and acknowledged the crucial role of foreign experts as a bridge between China and the global community. Prof. An official award ceremony for the Qilu Friendship Award will take place in May of this year.
A founding faculty member of Constructor University and an international authority on supramolecular chemistry, Prof. Nau began cooperating with the China University of Petroleum (UPC) on research projects in 2011 and was formally appointed a guest professor in 2015. He has been recognized as a core expert for his significant contributions to expanding the university’s research efforts and intellectual resources.
We asked Professor Nau about the significance of these honors and what they represent for Constructor University's international partnerships in the region.
You've been collaborating with UPC in Qingdao for nearly 15 years. What are some milestones from this partnership and how has it evolved over time?
Constructor University has maintained a very active collaboration with UPC across multiple fields. This has included hosting multiple PhD students from UPC in several research groups in Bremen, the reception of a group of about 30 undergraduate students in summer 2015, several bilateral delegation visits and mutual visits of faculty and staff.
In addition, Constructor University faculty and students have been invited multiple times to participate in the International Education Week held at UPC, with six faculty members visiting and teaching in 2019. Our interaction also includes joint research projects and grant applications. Three of my former coworkers have also become professors at UPC, including one in 2026, which will make future interactions very effective.
These are among the highest honors bestowed by China on foreign experts. What did it mean to you personally, and what does it say about Constructor University's role in international scientific collaboration?
Shandong Province has been an educational center in China dating back to Confucius, who was born and spent most of his life there. It is therefore an exceptional honor for me personally and Constructor University at large to receive this award for my contributions as a foreign expert and guest professor to the development of Shandong province, in the areas of chemical sciences and research.
The invitation to Premier Li Qiang’s Reception in Beijing in February is also considered one of the highest distinctions in China. The venue alone – just being in the Great Hall of the People – was a very special experience that is usually reserved for high-ranking politicians.
As a founding faculty member who has served as both Dean and Provost, you have a unique perspective on Constructor University's global engagement. How does this partnership with China fit into Constructor's broader vision for international collaboration?
Research is developing at a fast pace, and international collaborations are becoming increasingly important to drive projects to success. Science in China has been developing at an incredible speed during the past 15-20 years. Many leading groups have emerged during this time, backed by excellent equipment at their institutions, making it the perfect time to form a partnership for the benefit of faculty and students at both universities.
Constructor University's partnerships need to be constantly maintained, with the reward being increasing trust on both sides over time. For both universities, these partnerships allow deep insights into the educational systems on each side, which is essential to advancing meaningful and long-lasting joint projects and programs.
Looking ahead, what opportunities do you see for deepening Constructor University's engagement in China and the broader Asia-Pacific region?
Constructor University is maintaining partnerships with several academic institutions in China, which we’re working to develop into a real network, as peer recognition is an essential element for a continuous presence.
While we are in competition with numerous other universities worldwide, these existing partnerships are an excellent way to position our university as a small yet global player. I look forward to contributing to new international collaborations in the Asia-Pacific region, where we can always rely on the support from our Qingdao friends and colleagues.