New Zealand's international science profile was raised during a recent economic forum meeting in China, University of Otago physicist Dr David Hutchinson says.
Dr Hutchinson is an award-winning researcher who first attended the annual World Economic Forum Meeting of New Champions in Dalian last year, after being selected as one of the world's 60 outstanding young scientists.
He is a member of the Jack Dodd Centre for Quantum Technology, in the physics department.
This year, he was one of five previous scientists to be chosen to return as a mentor.
Dr Hutchinson was the only New Zealand science representative among about 1300 forum delegates.
One of the meeting's themes was "relaunching growth", but discussion also focused on ensuring principles of sustainability were included among moves to increase business activity.
Dr Hutchinson said New Zealand's science profile and that of Otago University was raised through his activities as a mentor, working with a group of future science leaders from developing countries, including the Sudan, Bangladesh, and Colombia, and developed countries such as the United States.
