In recognition of Professor Wood's outstanding service to international scientific cooperation and in appreciation of his contribution to the advancement of Germany's research status, the German Ambassador, Georg Boomgaarden, conferred the award today (21 July) at a reception in his honour at the Ambassador’s residence.

Professor Wood was Principal of Imperial College London's Faculty of Engineering, one of the world's leading and most renowned technical universities, before he took up his new post as Secretary General of The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) on 1 July 2010.

He has facilitated and led the complex international negotiations surrounding the XFEL project with great skill and dedication. As Chair of the XFEL International Steering Committee, Professor Wood played an important role in coordinating the documents necessary for the formation of the limited liability company through which the research organization could be operated.

According to the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, it is thanks to Professor Wood's significant international experience, his mediation skills and constructive approach that the founding documents could be agreed upon and signed at the end of 2009.

The European XFEL is a research facility currently under construction in the Hamburg area, Germany. From 2014 on, it will generate extremely intense X-ray flashes to be used by researchers from all over the world.  The European XFEL is being constructed by the European XFEL GmbH. For the construction and operation, the company collaborates closely with DESY and many other institutions.