Welcome to the 23rd edition of CUHK in Focus.
Two weeks ago marked a historic breakthrough in the Hong Kong’s university sector’s contribution to national development. I was greatly honoured to be in Hainan Island for the launch of the Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft on 10 May 2023 and witness and celebrate CUHK’s participation in the national space programme by sending samples of soybean nitrogen fixing bacteria into space for agricultural research.
I was privileged to witness this important milestone in the history of Hong Kong higher education, which represented the very first time that a local agricultural project has taken part in our country’s space programme. With the leaps and bounds in China’s space research over recent years, CUHK is proud to open a new chapter in the scientific development of our country by integrating space and agricultural research.
It is particularly fitting that Professor Lam Hon-ming, Choh-Ming Li Professor of Life Sciences and Director of CUHK’s State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, is spearheading the University’s participation in this influential project. Over the years, Professor Lam’s work on soybean cultivation has led to dramatic improvements in people’s livelihoods in provinces in northwestern China such as Gansu, Ningxia, and Qinghai, and places further afield such as Pakistan and countries across Africa. At a time when climate change and food security are emerging as issues of existential crisis for our planet, it is imperative that universities work collectively with industry and the government to develop innovative solutions to improve the climate resistance and sustainability of crops. I look forward to seeing Professor Lam’s research blaze a new trail in agricultural technology and make far-reaching impact on sustainable development.
CUHK is deeply grateful to the China Manned Space Agency, China Resources Research Institute of Science and Technology, and Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group for making this meaningful collaboration possible. Not only does the project represent a testament to our strong commitment to partnering with industry and amplifying the social impact of our research, but it also showcases the potential power of Hong Kong’s scientific research capabilities to contribute to global challenges.
New Cornerstone Science Laboratory
I was extremely honoured to officiate at the Unveiling Ceremony of CUHK’s New Cornerstone Science Laboratories, which marked the commencement of a new series of basic science research projects led by Professor He Xuhua, Choh-Ming Li Professor of Mathematics at the Department of Mathematics and the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, and Professor Liu Renbao from the Department of Physics, as New Cornerstone Investigators in the inaugural cohort of the New Cornerstone Investigator Programme, which is generously supported by Tencent.
Basic research has been the bedrock of many innovations and technological breakthroughs that we take for granted today. CUHK is proud to have two exemplary scientists among the three Hong Kong researchers selected for the New Cornerstone Investigator Programme. We are thankful to Tencent for their visionary investment in cultivating a strong pipeline of basic research in Hong Kong and their commitment to CUHK. The five-year New Cornerstone Investigator Grant, totalling RMB 15 million per recipient, will support Professor He and Professor Liu in undertaking ground-breaking research with potentially far-reaching impact.
EMBA’s 30th Anniversary Annual Conference
I was delighted to participate in the 30th Anniversary Annual Conference of the CUHK EMBA programme. CUHK has a long track record of pioneering business and executive education in Hong Kong and Asia. Our Faculty of Business Administration is the first of its kind in Asia. Established three decades ago as what was Hong Kong’s first, CUHK’s EMBA programme remains one of the most reputable in the region – the Asia-Pacific’s best in terms of career progress according to the most recent Financial Times Global EMBA ranking.
May I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the EMBA programme on its 30th anniversary and wish it continued success in the pursuit of excellence in what is an increasingly competitive global environment of business education.
Best wishes for new beginnings
It gives me great pleasure to celebrate the success of another batch of undergraduate students graduating from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) at their graduation ceremony last week. CUHK-Shenzhen is the jewel in the crown of cross-border higher education collaborations between Hong Kong and Guangdong Province. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in the coming year, CUHK-Shenzhen continues to grow from strength to strength.
Congratulations to all graduates on achieving a major milestone in their life journey. The holistic education experience at CUHK-Shenzhen has equipped them well as future leaders with a strong commitment to social responsibility. I hope all graduates will keep in mind the University motto, “Through Learning and Temperance to Virtue”, throughout their lives, and strive to enrich their knowledge, hold on to strong moral values, and play to their strengths to benefit society.
THE Asia Universities Summit 2023
CUHK will be hosting the Times Higher Education Asia Universities Summit 2023 from 21 to 23 June 2023 as a flagship celebration of the 60th anniversary. It is a precious occasion to re-engage with the global higher education community after several years of COVID-19 restrictions and closed borders, and to share with partners from around the world the heritage of excellence in CUHK education and research. I sincerely invite all members of the University to take advantage of a special offer to register for the event. The event will involve 400 higher education leaders and collaborators from across Asia in what is said to be the biggest gathering of university leaders in Hong Kong in five years. I look forward to providing you with more updates about the event in coming editions.
Best wishes,
Professor Rocky S. Tuan
Vice-Chancellor and President
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
