With the emerging threats of climate change and human impact on the marine environment,marine ecosystems across the globe are changing rapidly,leading to the urgent need for the conservation and restoration of these key systems.To build asustainable marine environment,the University of Hong Kong(HKU)joins hands with the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(IOCAS)to establish the Joint Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences(JLMEES),fostering collaboration in the fields of marine and environmental sciences between Hong Kong and Mainland China.The two institutes signed the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU)on November 24,2020.This initiative aimed at establishing astrategic platform for interdisciplinary collaboration between IOCAS and HKU,through the Swire Institute of Marine Science(SWIMS)under the Faculty of Science,to facilitate innovative scientific research,promote academic exchange and develop personnel training in the marine science arena.The research directions of this joint laboratory involve,but are not limited to,(1)marine biodiversity and global change,(2)marine biogeochemistry and environmental change,(3)marine ecosystems and ecological disasters,and(4)marine resources and ecological restoration.Professor Fan WANG,Director of IOCAS,is delighted to see the strengthening collaboration between IOCAS and SWIMS.“This marks asubstantial step forward in the cooperation between IOCAS and HKU.The cooperation meets the country‘s urgent need for marine development and represents an opportunity for anew round of development.The two sides will carry out innovative and interdisciplinary cooperative research in marine ecology and environmental sciences to jointly serve Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area,”said Professor Wang.Dr CHEN Heng,Director of the Department of Educational,Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People‘s Government in the HKSAR(LOCPG),envisioned the collaboration would bring mutual benefits to the research developments of both institutes.“These two key marine research academic centres come from the north and the south.Collaboration between the two is acritical event in marine sciences,where we can achieve more together through cooperation and resource sharing.As President Xi Jinping always stresses,we need to show greater care about the ocean,understand more about it and make strategic plans for the use of it.The LOCPG is willing to assist and hope that the two parties can continue to work and succeed in the cooperation,”said Dr Chen.Professor Alfonso NGAN,Acting Vice-President and Pro-Chancellor(Research),Kingboard Professor in Materials Engineering and Chair Professor in Materials Science and Engineering at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering of HKU,believed that the collaboration could strengthen the leadership position of HKU in this area.“I am very pleased to witness this momentous occasion in establishing closer ties between HKU and CAS to spearhead advanced research in marine ecology and environmental sciences.This collaboration is both well-timed and meaningful.I am confident that this research partnership will drive anew wave of world-class developments in marine sciences and be further advanced with the interdisciplinary research culture in both institutions,raising the research collaboration to new heights,”said Professor Ngan.Professor Matthew EVANS,Dean of HKU Science,regarded the collaborative initiative as amilestone in the development of SWIMS.He said:“This is asignificant moment for marine ecology and environmental science in the Faculty.Only the strongest research areas get approval to launch ajoint laboratory with CAS.The Faculty has recognised for some time that the interdisciplinary work conducted by the Swire Institute of Marine Science is one of our research strengths.I am extremely pleased to see this recognised by the collaboration with the Institute of Oceanology in Qingdao.We are particularly proud as it has been ten years since the formation of the last joint laboratory between CAS and HKU.” 查看详细>>

The Faculty of Science of The University of Hong Kong(HKU)is introducing anew double degree programmme,the 6688 Science Master Class in academic year 2021-22,allowing talented students to complete 2degrees in 4years–a Bachelor of Science(BSc)and aMaster of Research(MRes)from HKU.This elite programme caters specifically to the needs of science-inclined students,with Science Masters(renowned scientists in the Faculty)helping students achieve their scholastic potential in science.One of the best ways to learn is to be inspired from those who excel.This programme allows research-aspired students to immerse themselves in an authentic research environment and learn from researchers from diverse backgrounds,incubating the next generation of dynamic scientists who are able to translate scientific knowledge into practical applications with far-and wide-reaching impacts.We have renowned scientists including Members of Chinese Academy of Sciences,Hong Kong Academy of Sciences,Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences,International Members of National Academy of Sciences USA,Foreign Member of Academia Europaea,awardees of State Natural Science Awards and anumber of highly cited scientists.“We understand the learning pace and needs of highly able students might be different–they are quick learners who can usually accomplish more than expected,which astandard pedagogical routine might not be an ideal option for them.Skills alone would not make one succeed.It is the attitude,visions and efforts that set one’s direction.Learning from our Grand Masters and Masters,our top scholars who have exceptional accomplishments in their research areas,will definitely help our students broaden their horizon and establish personal network,facilitating their pursuit of research career in the future,”said Professor Matthew Evans,Dean of Faculty of Science. 查看详细>>

The University of Hong Kong(HKU)under the auspices of the Laboratory for Space Research(LSR),Faculty of Science,has just signed an MoU with the East Asian Observatory(EAO).HKU thereby becomes an associate partner of this international organisation for 3years in the first instance,and proudly becomes amember of another elite club that has aspirations to grow into the Asian equivalent of the European Southern Observatory.EAO currently consists of Japan,South Korea,Mainland China and Taiwan as full members,while Indonesia,Malaysia,Thailand and Vietnam as observer,and with India currently working on joining fully.The EAO currently operates the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope(JCMT).This 15-meter telescope is located on the summit of Hawaii’s Maunakea and is the largest single-dish telescope in the world,designed to operate at submillimeter wavelengths.Our associate partnership gives us 2.5 nights guaranteed time on this facility each year(but with the opportunity to get much more)together with technical and administrative support and much else besides.This includes unique pathways and opportunities for international collaborations.As an associate partner of the EAO,LSR members can access all the facilities that the EAO operates,as well as other facilities to which EAO will have access to in the future.The EAO also acknowledges HKU as one of the university partners of the National Astronomical Observatory of China(NAOC)under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 查看详细>>

The Technology Transfer Office(TTO)of the University of Hong Kong(HKU)announced in aceremony today(July 29)that 25 HKU start-up companies have received funding support under the 2019/2020 Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities(the“TSSSU HKU”).iDendron,of HKU Innovation&Entrepreneurship Hub,has also launched the iDendron Incubation Programme(iIP)to support and incubate HKU Early-Stage Start-ups.Professor Andy Hor,Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor(Research),HKU;Professor Holliday Ian,Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor(Teaching and Learning),HKU;Dr S.C.Kim,Director of Technology Transfer Office,HKU;Ms Zorina Wan,Assistant Commissioner for Innovation and Technology(Policy and Development)of the Innovation and Technology Commission(ITC);Mr Peter Yan,CEO of Cyberport;and representatives from the Hong Kong Science Park(HKSTP)attended the ceremony.TSSSU HKU is an award scheme that provides funding support to technology start-up companies formed by HKU members.The award scheme leverages on“Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities”(TSSSU),a funding scheme provided by the Innovation and Technology Commission(ITC)for six local universities,under which each university receive an annual funding of up to HK$8 million to subsidize technology start-ups. 查看详细>>

The application of robots to our daily lives is becoming more extensive,such as in medical applications where they can be used for the development of sophisticated surgical instruments,or in home applications such as taking care of elderly people or in rehabilitation equipment,as well as other social,industrial and commercial uses.The University of Hong Kong(HKU)signed an agreement with Tohoku University,Japan(Tohokudai)on 16 March,2019 to collaborate on general academic exchange,as well as research of transformative artificial intelligence(AI)and robotics technologies.The partnership will transform and upgrade AI and robotics technology with the outstanding research and academic achievements of the two universities.This collaboration is aimed at opening up new technologies for the transformation of the manufacturing industry and of mega cities.Mr Nicholas WYang,the Secretary for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government said that true innovation comes from collaboration.The Government is working at full steam to build two research clusters focusing on healthcare technologies and AI and robotics technologies.These are the areas where Hong Kong has strength and potential in its pursuit of innovation and technology.By pooling together the world’s top scientific institutions to collaborate with local universities,Hong Kong is poised to become ahub for global research collaboration.The collaboration between HKU and Tohokudai is astrategic one that brings together top researchers from both universities to focus on cutting-edge research and application development in the fields of transformative artificial intelligence and robotics,including establishing aCentre with the theme being Transformative AI/Robotics Technologies(TransART),to spearhead projects around transforming manufacturing industries and mega cities through the application of AI and Robotics.Professor Zhang Xiang,President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU said,“This partnership is important for HKU as Tohoku University is one of the top universities for programmes in robotics.Together,we will strive to achieve pioneering world-class research projects,bring more learning opportunities for our students,and build greater engagement with industrial partners.I look forward to seeing our teams working together so that we can translate our research into solutions that will make areal difference in peoples’lives.”“We are eager to further strengthen the tie between the two universities and closely work together in the field of Transformative AI and Robotics Technology(TransART)to create social innovation and solve social problems in Hong Kong and Japan.”,said Professor Hideo Ohno,President of Tohokudai.While HKU has astrong platform technology in the areas of Computer Vision,Sensing,Control,Motion and Planning,Systems Integration and Modeling and Simulation,Tohokudai,being one of the three original Imperial Universities in Japan and one of the top universities in Japan for programmes in robotics,is recognised for its cutting-edge applications such as creating human-friendly robots which enable intelligent exchanges with humans for society and industry use.Under the collaboration,the team hopes to transform and upgrade the technologies of AI and robotics,to improve the automation technology and to develop smart and flexible robots with self-learning ability that are adaptable to different environment and materials,such as handling 3-dimensional elastic or flexible materials.In the future,the research team will focus to optimise the technology of industrial robots and collaborative robots,identify bottlenecks and tackle critical issues using the newly developed technology in traditional industries like the manufacturing and garment industry.It also plans to make use of AI and Big Data to upgrade existing applications like evacuation planning,post-disaster management system and develop rescue robots etc.The team intend to apply for the next round of the HKSAR government‘s major initiative,AIR InnoHK under the Innovation&Technology Commission. 查看详细>>

Many reproductive disorders are caused by altered pulse patterns of hormone secretion in the blood stream,leading to avariety of reproductive disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)and hypothalamic amenorrhaea.Such disorders are very common with PCOS having aprevalence of 5-7%of all reproductive-age women.There are awide variety of complications of such reproductive disorders such as infertility,metabolic syndrome and depression.There is afrequent challenge to the diagnosis of these disorders as single measurements from ablood sample cannot tell aclinician the pulse pattern of hormone secretion over time.The LKS Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong(HKUMed)has collaborated with Imperial College London to develop and apply anew robotic platform technology to measure hormone pulse patterns in reproductive disorder patients.This is the first demonstration of this technology which is expected to be widely applied to awide range of diagnostic scenarios in the future.The research has just been published in Nature Communications,a top journal in the field of multidisciplinary science.(link to the publication)One of the lead researchers of the study,Dr Julian Tanner,Associate Professor of the School of Biomedical Sciences,HKUMed,remarked,“Diagnosis of reproductive disorders that often cause infertility is along-standing challenge.This study provides an innovative underlying biomedical technology that has the potential to transform medical diagnostics through enabling repeated or even continuous measurement of hormone and other biomolecule concentrations.”Study Results The team developed and applied an entirely new approach for measuring the pulse pattern of one of the important hormones to be analysed for diagnosing patients with reproductive disorders-luteinising hormone.A short piece of DNA,known as an aptamer,which specifically bound to luteinising hormone without binding to other closely related hormones was developed.The team integrated this aptamer onto an electrochemical detector so that when the aptamer changed shape in the presence of the hormone,the electrical properties of the surface changed,enabling adirect measurement of the concentration of the hormone in ablood sample.This electrochemical detector was integrated into awire on arobotic platform so that hundreds of blood samples could be easily measured in parallel.The team then developed anew mathematical approach termed Bayesian Spectrum Analysis to determine the LH pulsatile pattern in avariety of clinical scenarios.The significance of this study includes:1)development of anovel molecule(aptamer)for luteinising hormone sensing;2)development of alow-cost,efficient robotic platform for automated measurement;3)development of anovel mathematical method for characterising luteinising hormone pulsatile information;and 4)validation of the performance of the platform with clinical samples in 3patient cohorts in different LH pulsatility status(around 441 samples).is amongst the first ever studies where aptamers have been used for diagnosis in aclinical setting.Antibodies are the usual approach for specific biomolecule measurements,but they cannot be used continuously so are not ideal for anew wave of biomedical technology in this area.Aptamers are ideal for continuous sensing technologies such as for biochips that might be embedded or may act via microneedle patches or tattoos in the skin in the future.Therefore,this research opens up significant possibilities as the underlying technology for continuous biomolecule sensing that could transform molecular diagnostics. 查看详细>>

The University of Hong Kong welcomes the promulgation of an Outline Development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area(GBA)by the Central Government.HKU has been actively exploring opportunities globally for undertaking education and research.We believe that opportunities for scaling up and expanding the scope of education and research in the GBA should look promising given the national development initiatives being rolled out.We would like to be further involved in developing activities in the GBA and hope that our involvement can contribute to the area’s sustained development,long-term economic vibrancy and social integration;and to China’s development of aknowledge powerhouse of world-class status in the GBA.It can also foster opportunities for cross-fertilization of research ideas among researchers in different academic institutions and promote academic and business collaboration in the region,as well as provide amore rich and diverse learning experience for HKU students.Following ameeting in October 2018 between the Senior Management Team and Deans,a China Initiative Task Force chaired by Professor Richard Wong,Philip Wong Kennedy Wong Professor in Political Economy,and Chair of Economics,HKU was set up.Members of the task force have met with the government,university and science researchers in the GBA and will continue to study possible development of University activities in the Mainland,particularly in the GBA.The education and research opportunities we are exploring will be built on our wide experience in collaborating with Mainland institutions in research,teaching and learning.For example,the HKU-Shenzhen Hospital,the GDPU-HKU Innovations Platform,Research and Innovation Institutes in Shenzhen and Zhejiang,and joint academic programmes such as postgraduate business education with Peking University and Fudan University. 查看详细>>

The School of Public Health,LKS Faculty of Medicine at The University of Hong Kong(HKU)is partnering with the US National Academy of Medicine(NAM)to offer the NAM-HKU Fellowship in Global Health Leadership.An official announcement ceremony was held today(December 1,2018)at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.In alignment with the School’s and NAM’s strategic emphasis on developing the next generation of health leaders in Asia and worldwide,this fellowship aims to provide outstanding early-to mid-career scholars with the opportunity to obtain further training,education,experience and mentoring in the field of global health.The fellowship will commence in 2019 and run for three years initially,with one fellow to be selected each year.The fellows will visit Washington,DC for three months each year for two consecutive years during which s/he will actively learn about the work of NAM;undergo academic attachment at HKU School of Public Health;and receive ascholarship to pursue aMaster of Public Health degree at HKU.Nearly 100 candidates from 31 places of origin across six continents applied for the inaugural class of this fellowship programme.The 2019/2020 recipient will be announced in early 2019.The School took the occasion of the Faculty’s 200th Congregation to make the official announcement of the fellowship at aformal ceremony,which was hosted by Professor Gabriel Leung,HKU Dean of Medicine,and officiated by Professor Victor Dzau,President of the US National Academy of Medicine,and Dr Patrick Poon,Benefactor of the NAM-HKU Fellowship,HKU Council Member and Convocation Chairman.Professor Sophia Chan,Secretary for Food and Health,and Dr Constance Chan,Director of Health,also graced the ceremony with their presence.“HKU School of Public Health has been collaborating with the US National Academy of Medicine for years and Iam delighted to see the establishment of this new fellowship programme,which aims to train world class global health leaders for the 21st century and beyond,”said Professor Leung in his welcoming remarks.“I hope that this fellowship can contribute to building anetwork of global health policy scholars who can work together to identify pathways to solutions to some of the most critical health challenges facing the world today and in the future,”Professor Leung continued.“We also take this occasion to convey our deepest gratitude to Dr Patrick Poon,without whom this fellowship would not have been made possible.” 查看详细>>

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong(HKU),and the Harvard John A.Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science(Harvard SEAS)signed aMemorandum of Understanding(MoU)today(December 2)to set up aLaboratory for Instrumentation for Precision Medicine.Professor Christopher Chao,Dean of Engineering of HKU and Dr.Fawwaz Habbal,Executive Dean for Education and Research,Harvard SEAS officiated at the signing ceremony.The event was witnessed by The Hon Mrs Carrie Lam,the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(HKSAR);Mr Kurt W.Tong,Consul General of the United States to Hong Kong and Macau;Professor Zhang Xiang,President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU;Mr Nicholas WYang,the Secretary for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government;and Professor David Weitz,Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics and Applied Physics,Harvard SEAS.HKU Faculty of Engineering and Harvard SEAS aim to establish alaboratory focused on medical instrumentation for microfluidic-based diagnostics,drug delivery and sensor development in the age of precision medicine,in response to the HKSAR Government’s initiative to turn Hong Kong into aglobal hub of innovation and technology,particularly in the areas of healthcare technologies.The Hon Mrs Carrie Lam,Chief Executive of the HKSAR,said:“The HKSAR Government is committed to attracting world-leading research institutions to conduct collaborative research.The signing of the MoU between the HKU Faculty of Engineering and Harvard SEAS,which signifies enhanced collaboration and cross-fertilisation in the research area of precision medicine in Hong Kong,is avery significant step in this endeavour.I wish the two universities great success in the collaboration.”U.S.Consul General Kurt W.Tong said:“The U.S.Consulate General welcomes this important and positive milestone in U.S.-Hong Kong science and technology cooperation.”“Today’s memorandum brings together two universities that are known and respected around the world for our commitment to pursuing world-class,pioneering research,”Professor Xiang Zhang conveyed in the ceremony.Precision medicine(PM)is an emerging field of research by scientists.Innovation and technological development in the area will open up anew paradigm in healthcare leading to the customisation of healthcare,with medical decisions,treatments,practices,or products being tailored to individuals.The Laboratory will be organised into themes based on technologies that HKU and Harvard SEAS are pioneering and share interests and competitive edge in,such as microfluidics,drug formulations,sensors and detectors.Dr Fawwaz Habbal expressed that“HKU has excellent educational programs and first class research capabilities.Our collaboration will enable the talented engineers and scientists in both Universities to create significant innovative instrumentations for precision medicine,and will facilitate the design of devices and treatments that will impact health care across the world.” 查看详细>>

The University of Hong Kong(HKU)and Tsinghua University(THU)signed amemorandum of understanding(MoU)today(November 30)to collaobrate on Dual Bachelor’s Degree Programmes.By leveraging the unique capabilities of both HKU and THU,two four-year Dual Bachelor’s Degree Programmes will be offered,one in Business and Economics,the other in Computer Science and Technology.Students who complete the programmes will receive bachelor‘s degree certificates from both universities respectively.HKU President Professor Xiang Zhang and THU President Professor Qiu Yong officiated at the signing ceremony.This is the first time for HKU to collaborate with aMainland university on dual degree programmes at undergraduate level.“One of the key strategies in leading HKU to become aworld class university is to develop in-depth partnerships with world-leading universities.On top of our many collaborations with leading universities globally,I am delighted to enter into this partnership with Tsinghua which combines both universities’strengths towards aworld class education.The dual degree programmes will also give students achance to experience different learning environments and culture in the course of their academic pursuits.“said Professor Zhang.“Further to the signing of the Global Strategic Academic Partnership agreement with HKU last month,I am pleased to step up the collaboration with them through the launch of the dual degree programmes.I believe this will be the start of many more academic partnerships to come,which leverage on the strengths of both universities and offer the best of what we have in order to nurture agroup of global-minded leaders to take on challenges in the world,”said Professor Qiu.The dual bachelor’s degree programmes will be open to students worldwide and the first batch of intake is expected in the academic year 2020-21.Detailed admission requirements and students’quota for each programme will be announced at alater stage. 查看详细>>