MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jul 19, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Google Inc. (Nasdaq:GOOG), developer of the
award-winning search engine, today announced that it will open a
product research and development center in China, and has hired
respected computer scientist and industry pioneer, Dr. Kai-Fu Lee, to
lead the operation and serve as President of the company's growing
Chinese operations.
The Google China R&D center will open in the third quarter of
2005. China, with its thriving economy and excellent universities, is
home to many outstanding computer scientists and engineers. By
establishing an R&D center in China, Google is making a strong
commitment to attracting and developing Chinese talent, as well as
partnering with local universities and institutes. The selection of
Dr. Kai-Fu Lee to lead this important operation underscores Google's
commitment to building a successful Chinese product research and
development center and to expanding its international business
operations.
"The opening of an R&D center in China will strengthen Google's
efforts in delivering the best search experience to our users and
partners worldwide," said Alan Eustace, vice president of Engineering
at Google. "Under the leadership of Dr. Lee, with his proven track
record of innovation and his passion for technology and research, the
Google China R&D center will enable us to develop more innovative
products and technologies for millions of users in China and around
the world."
"It has always been my goal to make advanced technologies
accessible and useful to every user, as well as to be part of the
vibrant growth and innovation in China today," said Dr. Kai-Fu Lee.
"Joining Google uniquely enables me to pursue both of my passions and
I look forward to returning to China to begin this exciting endeavor."
Dr. Lee, who is widely known for his pioneering work in the areas
of speech recognition and artificial intelligence, joins Google from
Microsoft, where he most recently held the position of corporate vice
president, after founding Microsoft Research China in the late 1990s.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Dr. Lee was a vice president and general
manager at Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI), responsible for Internet and
multimedia software. Lee also spent six years at Apple, serving as
vice president of the company's interactive media group, and before
that was an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University.
"Google has emerged as a very successful leader in technology. Dr.
Kai-Fu Lee possesses the perfect combination of technical brilliance,
leadership excellence, and business savvy, and he cares deeply about
the students and education in China," said Gu Binglin, President of
Tsinghua University. "Dr. Lee is the ideal candidate to do great
things for Google and for China."
The Google China R&D center is the latest addition to Google's
growing number of global engineering offices, which include Tokyo,
Japan; Zurich, Switzerland; Bangalore, India; New York, New York;
Santa Monica, Calif.; Kirkland, Wash. and Mountain View, Calif. As
with all of its R&D centers, Google will continue to look for the best
talent in China and across Asia to join the Google team.
About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people
around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by
Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a
top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted
advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable
results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google
is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the
Americas, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit
www.google.com.
Google is a registered trademark of Google Inc. All other company
and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with
which they are associated.
SOURCE: Google Inc.
Google Inc.
Debbie Frost, 650-623-4660
dfrost@google.com
David Krane, 650-623-4096
david@google.com |
