From October 28 to 30, 2016, the 11th International Conference on Cutting-Edge Organic Chemistry in Asia took place in Daejeon. Organized by the Korean Society of Organic Synthesis (KSOS), the conference brought together representatives from countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. At the conference, Prof. Zhang Xumu, Chair of the Department of Chemistry, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), won the “Asian Core Program Lectureship Award” (“ACP Lectureship Award”).

Zhang’s practical research finding of “asymmetric hydrogenation” drew global attention, and plays a world leading role in basic research and industrial application of asymmetric hydrogenation. The new green synthesis process of related major drugs (i.e. duloxetine intermediate and sitagliptin intermediate) has been applied on a large scale, producing little pollution and high benefit. He has made a remarkable contribution to asymmetric hydrogenation research. As the winner of the “ACP Lectureship Award”, he will be invited for a one-week academic presentations and exchanges in Singapore.

The conference is part of the Asian CORE Program (ACP) initiated by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). Involving major academic institutions in countries such as Japan, China (including Taiwan and Hong Kong), Korea and Thailand, ACP aims to quicken the development of organic chemistry in Asia and cementing scientist exchanges and cooperation. The Chinese academic institutions which have joined ACP include the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peking University, Fudan University, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, SUSTech, etc.