The Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) held a symposium on February 7 to congratulate Osama Mohammed on his winning the 2023 Chinese Government Friendship Award.

“This award is not only a personal achievement, but also an honor to the Institute and the Xinjiang region,” said ZHANG Yuanming, Director General of XIEG. He added that foreign experts serve as a bridge to facilitate global collaboration and exchanges, acting as friendly ambassadors fostering friendship and good will between China and the rest of the world.

He further expressed the hope that foreign experts would persistently contribute to the Institute’s scientific endeavors in diverse ways, emphasizing their important roles in strengthening ties between the Institute and the international community.

At the meeting, ZHANG Yuanming formally presented Osama Mohammed with the certificate of special appointment as an associate professor at XIEG. Delegates from Xinjiang government and association conveyed their congratulations to Osama Mohammed, and affirmed their commitment to support to foreign experts in project application, residence permit, and other aspects for their living and working in Xinjiang.

Osama Mohammed is a visiting scientist at XIEG supported by the CAS President‘s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI).He has been engaging in the research of endophytic bacteria resource mining and application since his arrival in Xinjiang in 2014, and has collected a number of microbial strains with important application prospects.

He has played a crucial role in the scientific and technological cooperation between XIEG and institutions in countries along the Belt and Road. For his efforts, he had been honored with the CAS International Cooperation Award for Young Scientists and the Tianshan Award for foreign experts.

The Chinese Government Friendship Award is an award to commend foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China’s reform and development. Fifty foreign experts from 26 countries received the 2023 Chinese Government Friendship Award. Osama Mohammed is the fifth foreign expert at XIEG to win this award.（from XIEG)

Presenting the certificate of special appointment as an associate professor (Image by FAN Shucai)

Group photo (Image by FAN Shucai)