Academic gifts prize money to children

NANJING - Qian Qihu, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering who recently won the country's top science award, has decided to donate his full prize money to help poor children receive an education.

Qian, together with another academician, Liu Yongtan, was awarded 8 million yuan ($1.18 million) each for their outstanding contribution to scientific and technological innovation earlier this month.

Qian set up the theoretical system for China's modern defense engineering and contributed to creating a below-ground defense infrastructure.

Qian said on Jan 16 he has decided to use the money to set up a student aid fund in his hometown Kunshan, East China's Jiangsu province, to help more poor children gain access to schools.

Since 2006, the 82-year-old professor has personally assisted 17 poor students in the city with funding of more than 200,000 yuan, according to local officials.