Lee In, aeronautical engineering professor of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, has received Award for Friendship in an event hosted by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing on Sept. 29.

The award is given to foreign managers or experts for contributions to the development of culture, education and science of China, KAIST said Thursday.

He has served as an honorary professor of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics since 2008.

In 2008, when the Sichuan earthquake killed about 70,000 people, he offered his lecture fees as scholarship for NUAA students from the quake hit area.

Lee also ran student exchange programs involving South Korea, China and Japan, gaining recognition for his contribution to peace in North East Asia.

“I will keep up academic cooperation between South Korea and China. I am planning a joint symposium with KAIST and NUAA. I will continue to invite Chinese students to South Korean universities to study,” Lee said.

Lee has served as a fellow at the U.K. Royal Aeronautical Society since 2006. He is also head of a committee investigating into the aborted launch of Naro, the first Korean-made rocket made to carry a satellite.

He earned a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering at Stanford University, and master’s and bachelor’s in the same field at Seoul National University.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)