International evaluation of the Center for Correlated Matter (August 1st, 2017)

On August 1st 2017, the Center for Correlated Matter hosted an international evaluation. The evaluation was organized by the Science Division, together with the Talent Office and the Sci-Tech Academy of Zhejiang University. The purpose was to rigorously assess the progress and research of the Center, as well as to provide an opportunity for the assessors to suggest how the Center can develop more strongly in future. The review panel consisted of a range of distinguished experts from both within China and elsewhere around the world. The panel was chaired by Prof. Laura Greene, President of the American Physical Society and Chief Scientist at the National High Field Laboratory, USA. Other members of the panel were Prof. Dieter Vollhardt of the University of Augsburg, Dr. Joe Thompson of Los Alamos National Laboratory, Prof. Lu Yu of the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Prof. Fuchun Zhang of the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Sciences at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Prof. Nanlin Wang of Peking University and Prof. Donglai Feng from Fudan University. In addition, the evaluation was attended by members of the Zhejiang University administration from several different offices.

The opening session of the evaluation was chaired by the Dean of the Science Division Prof. Shengming Ma, and vice President Prof. Jianhua Yan warmly welcomed the team of assessors to Hangzhou and Zhejiang University. The Center director Prof. Frank Steglich then provided a history of the Center for Correlated Matter, followed by an overview given by the Executive Deputy Director Prof. Huiqiu Yuan. The remainder of the morning session consisted of a series of oral presentations from the Center staff about their scientific research. In the afternoon, there was a laboratory tour and poster session, where the visitors had the opportunity to speak and discuss with postgraduate students. After this there was a series of in depth discussions before the conclusion of the assessment.

The review panel were highly impressed by the progress made by the Center during the first five years in terms of academic achievements, securing external funding, forging international collaborations and achieving external visibility. It is hoped that the panel members will provide invaluable advice for the future development of the Center.