Chinese water expert to address climate change as WMU visiting scholar

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—An expert on hydrology and water resources in China will assess the impact of climate change on those resources this week as a visiting scholar at Western Michigan University.

Dr. Xu Zongxue, distinguished professor and deputy dean of the College of Water Sciences at Beijing Normal University and director of the Beijing Key Laboratory of Urban Hydrological Cycle and Sponge City Technology, will speak at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, in 2119 Wood Hall. His presentation, titled "Water Issues Under Climate Change: Opportunities and Challenges in China," is free and open to the public and is made possible by the WMU Visiting Scholars and Artists Program.

Xu

Xu is considered a national authority on China's hydrology, water resources engineering and flood forecasting and migrations. He has published 10 books and more than 320 refereed publications, including 150 in leading international science journals.

Xu serves as vice president for the International Commission on Water Resources Systems, International Association for Hydrological Science, as well as vice chair of the association's Chinese National Committee. He has received numerous awards from Australian, Chinese, German and Japanese institutions for his excellence in both research and education.

Visiting Scholars and Artists Program

The Visiting Scholars and Artists Program was established in 1960 to significantly contribute to the intellectual life of WMU and the community. The program provides funds for academic units to bring distinguished scholars and artists to campus. These visitors meet with faculty and students in their fields and address the community at large. Since the program began, it has supported more than 600 visits by scholars and artists representing more than 60 academic disciplines.

Xu's appearance is co-sponsored by the WMU Department of Geography.

For more information, contact Dr. Chansheng He, professor of geography, at (269) 387-3425.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.