Institute of Religion, Science and Social Studies

Media Reports on Dr. Jiang Sheng’s Winning GPSS Major Award Program for “Science, Taoism And Re-enlightenment” (STAR) Project

GPSS-MAP-STAR project is reported widely by many media and websites in china. Here are some reports:

Shangdong University Weekly: this program is an important symbol on international cooperation between SDU and world academia, which is a breakthrough on former “personal intercourses and academic conferences” and a new stage on essential cooperation.

SDU focus reported, in recent years SDU carried out an all-direction developing strategy, actively pushing forward academic internationalization and upgrading SDU competitive capability. The success of Professor Jiang is also an achievement under this strategy.

Shandong Business reported, this global research award won by Professor Jiang, reconfirms his leading academic position in the field of “Taoism and Science”.

ECNU: Professor Liu Zhongyu

After the first Workshop of GPSS-MAP-STAR, Professor Liu Zhongyu, principal professor of STAR ECNU sub-team, introduced the GPSS-MAP-STAR project to teachers and students at ECNU in meetings in November 2006.

IRSSS Postgraduate Student Attending the First Symposium of East Asia Junior Scholars on Buddhism Study

In July 3-7, the 1st Symposium of East Asia Junior Scholars on Buddhism Study was held at Chinese University of Hong Kong. About forty junior scholars from universities of Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. Miss Cao Xiuwei, postgraduate student of IRSSS, presented the symposium and delivered her research paper on Buddhism and medicine, which interested many attended scholars.

IRSSS actively encourages its postgraduate students to take part in civil and oversea academic communications and supplies convenient situation. This is also a measure on promoting IRSSSS academic creativity.

Three doctoral postgraduates of IRSSS received scholarship in 2006

PhD candidate Li Jinshan won the SDU Presidential Scholarship on Nov.26, 2006, and Han Jishao was awarded the SDU Scholarship for Best PhD Candidates, both of them take part in the GPSS-MAP-STAR project.

Ms. Chen Zhaoyin (from Taiwan) won the “Scholarship for Excellent Students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan” issued by the Office for Affairs of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, the State Council, whose doctoral dissertation passed in June 2006 is on Taoism and Science.

Science, Religion, And Society: An Encyclopedia of History, Culture, And Controversy

Being a contributor of Encyclopedia of Science and Religion (Macmillan, New York, 2003), Professor Jiang Sheng is invited again to be contributor of “Daoist Contributions to Science in China” in Science, Religion, And Society: An Encyclopedia of History, Culture, And Controversy, which is edited by Gary Laderman and Arri Eisen, published in Oct. 2006 by M.E. Sharpe Inc. in New York.

Professor Jiang Sheng attended the GPSS MAP Paris Workshop in July 2006

On July 26-30, 2006, the GPSS-MAP Workshop was held at the Chateau Hotel Mont Royal located in outskirt of Paris. The SDU-IRSSS Director Professor Jiang Sheng attended the workshop and made a presentation on “Daoism and Science: Past and Present” at it. He also talked about the future plan of the IRSSS institute in the study of this field at the workshop, and exchanged ideas with the GPSS officials from USA and France.

The First Session of “Discussing the Dao at Laoshan (Laoshan Lun Dao)” Conference Held successfully in Tsingtao

On Oct. 31, 2006, hosted by IRSSS and Laoshan Taiqing Temple, the first session of “Laoshan Lun Dao” inaugurated at Kangcheng Acadmy of Laoshan.

Venerable Ren Farong (Chairman of Chinese Taoism Association), Mr. Zhan Tao (President of SDU), Mr. Tong Waihop (Director of Academic Department of Hong Kong Taoism Association), Ms. Zhang Hui (Member of Standing Committee of Tsingtao Municipal Government) presented the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Among more than 100 guests are civil and oversea scholars, leaders and Taoists from many Chinese Taoist temples.

Professor Jiang Sheng, Director of IRSSS, addressed a keynote speech entitled “Chong Qi Yi Wei He” (mingling different spirits to reach harmony). During four-day meeting, scholars and Taoist leaders gave their further opinions on Taoist thoughts and modern science, history of Taoist technology, the development and transition of Taoist thoughts, society harmony and Taoist thoughts, modern value of Taoism.

“Laoshan Lun Dao”, a forum to probe into the modern value of Taoism, is co-founded by IRSSS and Taiqing Temple. It will be held each two years aiming to develop a famous forum between international academia and Taoism.

This inauguration of “Laoshan Lun Dao” was reported by many Chinese media, such as Science Today (Beijing), Western Report, Tsingtao Daily, Shandong University Weekly, www.people.com.cn, www.qingdaonews.com, etc. Participants who handed in papers received a gold token of “Laoshan Lun Dao” at conference registration.

The First Workshop of STAR Project held at Tsingtao

On Nov.1st, the First STAR Workshop was held at the Haier Villa in Tsingtao. Professor Jiang Sheng (SDU), Dr. Tong Waihop (HKTA), Professor Liu Zhongyu (ECNU), Professor Yang Yuhui (SWNU), Professor Hu Huakai (USTC), and main participants of STAR Program attended the workshop. The launching and future management of STAR Program was discussed in the workshop.

IRSSS STAR Team Members Get Awards and Projects

STAR members Dr. Tan Jingyu won 2006 “Shandong Province Award of Best Doctoral Dissertations”. And Dr. Yu Rusong won a fund of RMB50000 from the 2006 Shandong Province Best Post-doctoral Research Program for his research which is a part of GPSS-MAP-STAR project.

Professor Jiang Sheng won academic prize from Ministry of Education

Early Religious Taoism and the Re-understanding of History of the Han through the Three Kingdoms, an English thesis written by Professor Jiang Sheng, received the second prize from Ministry of Education, reported in an official documentation of prize giving from Ministry of Education of China on Dec.20, 2006.