The International Chinese Statistical Association (ICSA) presented the 2014 Distinguished Achievement Award to Prof Fang Kaitai of DST's Statistics Programme at its general member meeting in Boston in August.

President of the ICSA Prof Ying Lu (Stanford University) says the bestowal of this award upon Prof Fang is in recognition of his “broad and significant contributions in statistical theory and applications, his dedication and excellence in teaching statistics and fostering young statisticians, and his long and distinguished service to the profession”.

“Over the years, only a handful of distinguished ICSA members have received this high honour,” says Prof Ying Lu.

Prof Fang Kaitai describes the award “a great honour” for him and “the strongest affirmation” of his academic work.

After the establishment of the ICSA in 1987, Prof Fang worked alongside the association's first president to expand ICSA membership in mainland China.

At that time, the organisation was small and relatively obscure, but in less than 20 years, Prof Fang helped the ICSA achieve international renown for its high-standard of scholarship in statistics.

“I truly hope that our fellow members will continue to devote their attention and efforts to help further the development and applications of statistical studies in China,” Prof Fang adds.

(Republished from MPRO’s UIC Beacon Issue XII)