At the General Assembly of the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on 8 September, Professor ZHANG Jie, distinguished dean of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, was conferred the ICOMOS Honorary Life Membership as the representative of ICOMOS China, becoming the first Chinese expert to receive such privilege.

ICOMOS is the only global non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation of cultural heritage places. Founded in 1965, ICOMOS is committed to promoting the application of theory, methodology, and scientific techniques in the conservation of architectural and archaeological heritage through interdisciplinary exchanges among architects, engineers, and town planners. ICOMOS also aims to improve the preservation of heritage and contributes to the establishment of standards and techniques for each type of cultural heritage property.

Since 1975, ICOMOS has conferred every three years the highest honorary title, i.e. “Lifetime Honorary Membership” to individuals who have given distinguished services at the international level to the conservation of cultural heritage. At this General Assembly, jury members from countries including Japan and Norway recommended 11 outstanding experts from all over the world for the award, Professor ZHANG Jie included.  

ICOMOS Lifetime Honorary Membership being conferred to Prof. ZHANG Jie (photo from ICOMOS China)

Photo of Prof. ZHANG Jie attending the ICOMOS General Assembly (photo from ICOMOS China)