Scientist impressed by Chinese teamwork

Editor's Note: On Jan 9, the Chinese government presented the State scientific and technological awards. Nuclear physicist Yu Min won the top award. Seven foreign scientists and one overseas organization won the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award. A total of 318 scientific and technological research projects received State scientific and technological awards. China Daily interviewed some of the award winners.

A leading Australian geoscientist finds the cooperative ability of his Chinese peers has been some "of the best" he has seen during a scientific career that spans more than 50 years.

Franco Pirajno, 76, a senior geoscientist at the minerals geoscience resources section of the Geological Survey of Western Australia, and an adjunct professor at the Center for Exploration Targeting at the University of Western Australia, has been working closely with Chinese institutions for more than 20 years, including Peking University, China University of Geosciences, Hefei University of Technology and the Ministry of Education.

"The cooperative ability of Chinese geoscientists has been, and is, one of the best I have witnessed in more than 50 years of professional life," Pirajno wrote in an e-mail. "They are caring, respectful, always ready to learn, and work harder than anyone I have ever seen. Nothing seems to stop them."

Pirajno has considerable experience in mineral exploration and has worked in Europe, Africa and Asia.

As a senior geoscientist, he has witnessed China's scientific growth.

"I came to China for the first time 20 years ago and have seen amazing changes for the better, matched only by the post-World War II era in Europe," he wrote. "I have cooperative projects with several Chinese colleagues with whom I have developed a lasting and close friendship over the years."

Pirajno has published more than 150 academic publications in international journals, and cooperated with Chinese geoscientists on more than 50 papers.

He also trains young Chinese geoscientists.

"I also focus on transferring my professional experience to younger generations, so that they can benefit and learn from both my mistakes and successes, and to ensure that for every scientist, no matter of what age or experience, one never stops learning," he wrote.

To honor his contribution to China's geoscience development, the Chinese government presented Pirajno with the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award, the highest honor a foreign scientist can be awarded by the government.

His work mainly focuses on discovering mineral resources in China, as well as in other countries. Pirajno hopes geoscientists can share resources and develop the subject.

"As all scientists are well aware, mineral resources play an all-important role in the future of human societies, something many Western countries, unfortunately, seem to have forgotten. The discovery and development of new mineral deposits is becoming more significant, if not downright essential, in modern times," he wrote.

"Our work is focused on gaining a greater understanding of what makes a mineral deposit, which in turn will lead to new discoveries."