NEW YORK, November 25, 2014 — After the success of the inaugural China Environmental Stewardship (CES) Award last year, ConocoPhillips is pleased to announce that it is cooperating with the Institute of International Education (IIE) to launch the 2015 China Environmental Stewardship Award.
Funded by ConocoPhillips and managed by the Institute of International Education, the China Environmental Stewardship Award was launched in 2013 to support promising graduate students at Chinese universities to study, research and train in the fields of environmental protection, risk management and sustainable development. Winners are awarded up to U.S. $25,000 in funding over three years. In addition to providing direct financial support for research and training, the program offers participants networking and leadership development opportunities.
Last year, the program attracted applicants from 32 academic institutions who are working in a variety of areas within environmental protection. The judging panel, consisting of representatives of a variety of research institutions, governmental and non-governmental organizations, selected five winners from throughout China, all of whom showed a unique sense of personal mission. The winners’ interest areas ranged from the effect of PM2.5 particles on the respiratory system to the impact of alien species on vulnerable habitats.
The funds they received will ensure they can continue their important research which they otherwise may have had to abandon due to financial constraints.
Last year’s winners:
Mr. Gongbuzeren—Managing Rangelands
Gongbuzeren is a PhD candidate majoring in Natural Resource Management at Peking University’s College of Environmental Science & Engineering. His work focuses on the interaction between market-based policy interventions and community institutions, the role of pastoral communities in grassland conservation, and the impact of rangeland management policies.
Mr. Rehemanjiang Wufuer—Soil & Groundwater Bioremediation
Mr. Rehemanjiang is a PhD candidate at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology & Geography, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Focused on bioremediation, he is currently studying the effect of uranium in polluted soil and groundwater. In the future, he plans to explore efficient, practical biological techniques to improve soil and groundwater quality.
Ms. Ruixue Xia—PM2.5 & Respiratory Disease
Ms. Xia is a PhD candidate at Peking University First Hospital’s Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Department. Her research is currently focused on the causal link between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and respiratory illness. She plans to pursue a career studying the impact of air pollution on the health of vulnerable populations.
Ms. Lvbing Zhang—Invasive Alien Species
A PhD student at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Laboratory of Animal Ecology & Conservation Biology, Ms. Zhang is focused on how alien species impact vulnerable habitats. Her field research is currently centered in China’s Xinjiang Autonomous Region. In the future, she intends to be able to predict and assess potential risks of invasive alien animals and to contribute to the prevention of alien species invasions.
Ms. Bingcheng Zhu—Environmental Law
Ms. Zhu is a Master’s candidate at the University of Political Science and Law, focused on environmental law, specifically in the area of oil and gas. Her future work will focus on the relationship between climate change and energy development.
New Round of Applications for 2015
Continuing the success of the program, ConocoPhillips will cooperate this year with IIE to launch the 2015 China Environmental Stewardship Award.
“The China Environmental Stewardship Award is a wonderful initiative that makes a real difference and we are proud to be part of it,” said Mark Nelson, ConocoPhillips China’s vice president of Commercial, Communications & CSR and Sustainable Development. “We believe that real change begins with talented and passionate individuals and this initiative is designed with that in mind. Last year’s winners were a real inspiration and we’re looking forward to helping another group of talented young students continue with their studies.”
Allan E. Goodman, president and CEO of the Institute of International Education, said, “The inaugural competition of the China Environmental Stewardship Awards has been a great success. It has attracted a strong pool of highly qualified candidates, and we are excited to support the winners as they develop professionally and continue their high-quality research. As we open this year’s competition, we are again seeking to identify individuals with a clear vision for contributing to China’s efforts to improve the environment for future generations. We look forward to deepening our relationship with them and with ConocoPhillips.”
About the Institute of International Education
The Institute of International Education is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. An independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of 19 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,200 member institutions. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government agencies, foundations, and corporations. IIE also conducts policy research and program evaluations, and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad. The WISE Program is administered by the Institute of International Education and the International Association of University Presidents.
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