Scientific giant falls, science spirit rises

Professor and friend

Being a professor, Huang treated his students seriously and sincerely. He would explain an issue over and over again for his students and offer them various examples to help them understand it.

Meanwhile, he encouraged students to go abroad for further study but wished for them to return and make contributions to China’s scientific community.

Zhou Wenyue, Huang's student, received her recommendation letter to Cambridge University at midnight two days before Huang's surgery, which touched Zhou a lot.

Huang and his scientific research team discuss an issue in his office on Nov 22, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

"I used to feel it is too vague to talk about nationalistic things but Professor Huang made us understand how to serve our country with knowledge," Zhou added.

Huang created many folders for each of his students, in which he recorded the students' school work and life plans.

Huang's wife is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine. He used to ask his wife to make cool sweet green bean soup, hawthorn water, and chrysanthemum tea for students during the stuffy summer.

Qiao Zhongkun, another of Huang’s students, said "Professor Huang was considerate and always treated us like his friends."

"Huang was a person you could never forget once you meet," said Bing Zheng, vice president of Jilin University, "I was encouraged whenever I met with him about his scientific passion. His traditional dedication and initiative spirit have inspired many people."