Professor John P. Dear (L), fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, is appointed as an honorary professor of XJTU.

On April 22, Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) appointed John P. Dear, fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, as an honorary professor. University President Zhang Liqun, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, met with Dear and presented him with the appointment certificate.

During their exchanges, Dear reflected on his collaborative journey with the university. He noted that since 2019, he has been invited multiple times to XJTU, fostering a close and impactful partnership.

Through joint research efforts with the School of Mechanical Engineering, breakthroughs have been achieved in key areas such as aeronautical composite materials. These collaborations have resulted in the co-publication of over 20 high-level academic papers and the cultivation of a cohort of outstanding graduate students.

Zhang thanked Dear for his long-standing collaboration and support. He remarked that the partnership has yielded significant results in scientific innovation and talent development, particularly in mechanical engineering.

Zhang hopes the appointment will further deepen cooperation in cutting-edge research, international academic exchanges, and innovative talent cultivation models. He stressed the goal of achieving greater breakthroughs in disciplinary development and education quality, helping address global engineering challenges and advancing international scientific progress.

Prior to the ceremony, Dear delivered a lecture titled ‌"Dynamic Performance and Repair Assessment of Aeronautical Composite Materials and Wind Turbine Blade Structures"‌ at the School of Mechanical Engineering. The lecture, part of the university's ‌"Global Masters Lecture Series", showcased cutting-edge insights and engaged students in discussions on emerging engineering challenges.