Welcome to the 52nd edition of CUHK in Focus.
Six Hong Kong scientists, including four from CUHK, have been honoured with invitations to join China’s Antarctic scientific expedition team, which set sail from Nansha on 1 November 2024. This is the 41st polar mission, marked by a special initiative to foster collaboration between researchers from Hong Kong and the mainland in the fields of Antarctic and environmental sciences. I had the privilege of attending the send-off ceremony and touring the exploration vessels alongside key officials from the mainland and HKSAR. The participation of CUHK scientists in the national mission is a significant step forward, a step in realising the goals outlined in the Framework Agreement for Strategic Cooperation signed between CUHK and the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) during the China Symposium on Polar Science held in August 2024.
Earlier this year, China’s first domestically-built polar icebreaker vessel, Xue Long 2, made its inaugural trip to Hong Kong. As the sole academic institution involved in organising events to welcome the icebreaker, CUHK takes great pride in the opportunity to deepen our collaboration with the PRIC in advancing polar scientific research. The involvement of CUHK scientists in our nation’s Antarctic expedition is a significant recognition of the University’s commitment to harnessing its interdisciplinary strengths in polar and environmental sciences. This involvement not only enhances our understanding of Earth’s complex ecosystems and their interactions with human activities but also aims to develop innovative solutions for a sustainable future for our planet.
Advancement of scholarship
The University is thankful for the generous donation of US$1 million made by Professor Yau Shing-tung, CUHK’s Distinguished Visiting Professor-at-Large and Director of The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSCI), to establish the “Chiu Chin Yin Early Career Professorship in Mathematics”. As one of the most influential mathematicians of our time and a proud alumnus of CUHK, Professor Yau has always kept his alma mater close to his heart. The new professorship, named after his late father, who taught at Chung Chi College and United College, is set up to promote the advancement of mathematics education and research. A special ceremony was held on 24 October to announce Professor Yang Ziquan as the first Chiu Chin Yin Assistant Professor of Mathematics, affiliated with IMSCI and the Department of Mathematics. The ceremony also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CUHK and the Qiuzhen College of Tsinghua University, the Deanship of which Professor Yau proudly holds, to strengthen institutional collaboration on nurturing talent, academic exchanges and scientific research. I was delighted to welcome and thank Professor Yau in person and celebrate the new initiatives that foster the advancement of scholarship and strengthen interdisciplinary joint research.
Support from benefactors
CUHK owes a debt of gratitude to our robust network of benefactors whose philanthropic acts have been laying the strong foundation for institutional advancement. We are honoured to receive a magnanimous donation of HK$10 million from Dr Kong Ho-pak and his wife to establish the “Sarina and Ho Pak Kong Professorship in Buddhist Studies”, and HK$20 million from the GS Charity Foundation in support of the establishment of the CUHK Centre of Buddhist Studies for promoting high-quality research in Buddhist studies and educating the public about Buddhism.
The new endowed professorship is CUHK’s first named professorship in the field of culture and religion. The appointed professor will lead the CUHK Centre for Buddhist Studies and its academic team to promote Buddhist education, nurture talent, and explore new areas of Buddhist studies, which will enable the University to further its time-honoured commitment to academic excellence and the promotion of Buddhism as a significant area of Asian cultural heritage. I was delighted to attend a donation ceremony to pay tribute to our esteemed donors on behalf of the CUHK community to express our gratitude for the trust and support they have kindly bestowed upon us throughout the years.
It gave me great honour to express our heartfelt gratitude to Dr Robert Dan Bing-kwan and his wife, Mrs Sophia Dan, at the naming ceremony of the Robert Dan Health Education Centre (formerly the Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion (CHEHP)) earlier this week. The generous support from Dr and Mrs Dan has enabled the Centre to improve the health literacy of people and enhance their competency to access health information. Dr and Mrs Dan are dear friends of CUHK. When health services were first available at CUHK in 1962 with the establishment of the Chung Chi Clinic at Chung Chi College, Dr Dan served as the first and only resident doctor in the Clinic, laying the groundwork for the founding of the University Health Service (UHS) (now the University Medical Service Office (UMSO)) in 1970. As the inaugural Director of UHS, Dr Dan oversaw the integration of health services for students and staff of the three founding Colleges and led his team to develop comprehensive health service plans for the University community.
Not only did Dr Dan provide invaluable insights in establishing health service programmes for the University during his tenure, but he has also continued to support CUHK after retirement. He and his wife have been actively contributing to the promotion and diversification of health services at CUHK through CHEHP. In gratitude to their unwavering support, CHEHP is renamed as the “Robert Dan Health Education Centre” to acknowledge their years of dedication to building a healthy campus at CUHK and enhancing the University’s medical service system. The entire CUHK community holds deep gratitude for their selfless contributions and acts of benevolence.
Recognition of outstanding students
Eight distinguished students were recognised at the presentation ceremony of the CUHK Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships for Excellence 2023-2024 for their exceptional academic achievements and impressive track records of leadership and extra-curricular accomplishments.
The Scholarship was set up in 2021 to acknowledge outstanding first-year students and encourage them to take advantage of the valuable learning opportunities at CUHK. We hope they will prosper as future global leaders with a strong moral character, emotional resilience, a sense of social responsibility, and an innovative spirit. I am extremely proud to see how the Scholarship has grown to support our brightest students in the years since its establishment. The Scholarship is not merely a recognition of the student’s past achievements. More importantly, it highlights the potential that each student possesses to shape the future. I hope all of the scholarship recipients uphold the spirit of lifelong learning to help our society, our country and the world tackle the challenges of the 21st century. Once again, congratulations to all of them on a job well done!
Appointment of Faculty Deans
I heartily congratulate Professor Xi Chao and Professor Anthony Fung Ying-him on their respective appointments as Dean of the Faculty of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Social Science.
Professor Xi is internationally recognised for his research and scholarship in Chinese law, corporate law, and empirical legal studies. He has held several leadership positions including Associate Dean (Research) and Head of the Graduate Division. Professor Xi is dedicated to public service and is a member of the Department of Justice’s Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Task Force.
Professor Fung is a well-known scholar in China and across the globe. Currently a professor at CUHK’s School of Journalism and Communication and Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, he has held prestigious professorships at several overseas institutions, as well as membership in the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research and Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Information Technology in Education of the HKSAR.
As the chairman of the search committees for these two deanships, I am very pleased that our efforts have concluded successfully. I am confident that their leadership acumen, profound knowledge, and experience in their fields will position them well to guide their Faculties towards achieving greater academic excellence and impactful research outcomes.
Heartfelt gratitude to Professor Alan Chan
As many of you may know, Professor Alan Chan will be stepping down as Provost of CUHK on 1 January 2025. I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for all that Alan has done for our University over the past five years. This past year has been particularly challenging, as Alan also took on the role of Vice-President (Administration). His dedication and leadership during these times have been truly commendable. Alan has been not just a reliable partner and colleague, but also a dear friend. Together, we have faced challenges, especially during the COVID pandemic. Thanks to his efforts, we have not only kept the University running smoothly but have also achieved remarkable success, with our academic standing reaching new heights in three major global university rankings. My deepest thanks to Alan, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
I look forward to sharing more stories with you in the next edition.
Best wishes,
Professor Rocky S. Tuan
Vice-Chancellor and President
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
