Diffie and Wu together unveil the nameplate of the Institute of Cyber Security Research of Zhejiang University on July 5. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Bailey Whitfield Diffie, a world-renowned cryptographer and a pioneer in public-key cryptography, joined Zhejiang University as a full-time professor and honorary director of the university's Institute of Cyber Security Research on July 5.

Diffie shared the 2015 Turing Award, the most prestigious award in the field of computer science, with Martin Hellman for their groundbreaking contributions to public-key cryptography and digital signatures.

They jointly developed a method of securely exchanging cryptographic keys over a public channel, which is known as the Diffie-Hellman key exchange.

The scientist will cooperate with Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Lab in conducting academic research, promoting international exchanges and recruiting high-caliber overseas professionals.

Diffie will also teach a course about cyber security to graduate students at Zhejiang University starting this October.

Additionally, he is expected to give lectures at regular intervals in Zhejiang and invite overseas experts to also give talks.

Diffie appreciated the recognition by Zhejiang University, saying he looks forward to achieving results in the field of cyber security in collaboration with researchers here.

Wu Zhaohui, president of Zhejiang University, believed that Diffie's academic findings and hands-on experience will help to further promote the development of the university's computer sciences and information technology.

After the appointment ceremony, Diffie gave a lecture on the evolution of cryptography over recent years.

Professor Diffie gives a lecture on the development of cryptography at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou on July 5. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]