Qinghai University in China has awarded the title of Distinguished Professor to Professor Nickolaos Zouros, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Head of the UNESCO Chair for Geoparks and Sustainable Development of Island and Coastal Areas of the Department of Geography of the University of the Aegean as a practical recognition by the university community of the institution of his contribution to the promotion of geological heritage monuments and geo-conservation.

This top distinction was awarded to Professor N. Zouros for his contribution to the promotion and protection of geological heritage and the establishment of the institution of Geoparks internationally, and in particular for his cooperation in the education and training of Chinese scientists in the field of geo-conservation and his contribution to the recognition and development of Geoparks in China.

Qinghai University in China is a public university founded in 1958 and located in Xining City, Qinghai Province, and is part of the Chinese Ministry of Education’s First Class University Plan, which aims to enhance the overall strength and international competitiveness of China’s higher education. Qinghai University has 15 colleges, 26 departments, 5,392 teaching and administrative staff, 4,493 graduate students and 23,465 undergraduate , students.

The honorary title was awarded to Professor N. Zouros at a special ceremony organized in the framework of the 8th International Seminar for Geopark Officers Training, co-organized by the Beijing University of Geosciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the World Geoparks Network and the University of the Aegean at the Zangye World Geopark with the participation of 140 scientists. In China, 49 sites have been recognized as UNESCO World Geoparks and over 240 as National Geoparks.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Zhaxi Cairang, head of the Huangnan regional government, leading a delegation.

President of Qinghai University Dunzhu Wangxiou referred to the structure of the University and the reasons for the award of the title which will contribute to the cooperation between the two Universities. He also mentioned that a visit of a delegation of the University to Lesvos in 2024 will be pursued.

Professor Wang Genhou, Head of the Faculty of Geological Engineering, Qinghai University, referred to the personality and academic career of Professor N. Zouros, his authorial and scientific work as well as the awards he has received. He also referred to his international recognition and his contribution to the World Geoparks Network and his contribution to the promotion, protection and integrated management of geological monuments worldwide.

In his speech, Professor Nikolaos Zouros referred to the efforts for the promotion of geological heritage and the role of UNESCO World Geoparks, which manage and highlight geological monuments of international value and can be tools for the local sustainable development of rural, mountainous and island regions. He referred to the example of Lesvos and the actions implemented for the promotion of the geological monuments and biodiversity of Lesvos.

He also referred to the long-standing cooperation with the Beijing University of Geosciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Central Forest and Grassland Bureau responsible for China’s protected areas as well as the operating agencies of the Chinese UNESCO World Geoparks and local authorities. Finally, he proposed cooperative actions between universities and geoparks.

The visits of the Chinese universities to Lesvos will take place next August.