KAVLI Institute – Peking University

The KAVLI Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (KIAA) is jointly supported by Peking University and an endowment made possible by a generous gift from the Kavli Foundation, USA. KIAA was established in June, 2006 and started operation in 2007. KIAA’s mission is to establish an international center of excellence in astronomy and astrophysics that promotes the development of basic astrophysical research. Its primary goal is to foster frontier research in a vibrant intellectual environment. With English as its working language, KIAA is engaged in theoretical and observational initiatives, development and utilization of astronomical facilities, and training of undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. KIAA regularly sponsors thematic workshops, conferences, and a range of other academic activities to facilitate scientific exchange with the domestic and international astronomy community. It is establishing exchange and visiting programs with other Kavli institutes and a network of universities and astronomy centers worldwide. The program of KIAA focuses on four major areas of astrophysics: 1) observational cosmology, galaxy formation and evolution; 2) star formation, stellar and planetary systems; 3)  gravitational physics and high-energy phenomena; and 4) computational astrophysics.