A specialist in mechanical engineering, Prof. Zhou Ji is the president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. His research interests include the engineering application of optimization design, computer-aided design (CAD), numerical control and computer integrated making system (CIMS) technologies. He and his team also developed a series of software products, which have been widely used in various industries such as machinery, aeronautics, astronautics and energy. During his service as the director-general of the Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Professor Zhou successfully turned Wuhan into a leading optical science research and manufacturing base, helping the municipality to win the nickname 'China Optical Valley'. Professor Zhou's achievements earned him four third-class National Scientific and Technological Progress Prizes and 14 Provincial Scientific and Technological Progress Prizes. He was also elected as a foreign associate of the US National Academy of Engineering. The University conferred upon Professor Zhou the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, for his remarkable contributions in the field of mechanical engineering and the development of science and technology in China. (Professor Zhou received this honorary degree in absentia.)