UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Andrew N. Kleit, Penn State professor of energy and environmental economics in the College of Earth and Minerals Sciences’ John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering (EME), has been appointed a “Hai-Tian” (Sea-Sky) Scholar by the Dalian University of Technology (DUT) in recognition of his contributions in the areas of energy and environmental economics.
Part of Kleit's research focus has been on the economic challenges brought about by unconventional drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus region.
The award has a two-year term and carries a modest stipend. Kleit will be in residence in Dalian for one month for each of the next two years working with DUT researchers studying the energy and environmental challenges facing China.
The Hai-Tian Scholar award is part of DUT’s efforts to improve its research quality through collaboration with well-known researchers throughout the world.
DUT, located in the coastal city of Dalian in northeastern China, is among the country's top universities. Renowned for its highly focused science and engineering research units, DUT's strengths also include applied sciences and economic management sciences as well as social sciences and law. DUT is engaged in a historic mission of rejuvenating the northeastern Chinese industrial base, and carrying out a talent-training strategy to build DUT into a world-famous research-oriented university.
As chair of EME’s Energy Business and Finance program, Kleit is also involved in facilitating Penn State’s summer study-abroad program at DUT offered by EME. Submerged in Chinese culture, the students spend six weeks studying China’s approach to managing energy and environmental challenges.