30 April 2025
Welcome to the 63rd edition of CUHK in Focus.
I hope the Easter holiday has given you a great chance to spend time with your loved ones and enjoy the vibrancy of the spring season. We are happy to announce a series of exciting collaborations with our mainland and international partners that aim at driving innovation, unlocking new opportunities for mutual growth, and enabling us to deliver positive impact to society.
I was most pleased to attend the launch ceremony of the “1+1+1” Joint Collaboration Fund Project at CUHK-Shenzhen to celebrate the collective commitment among CUHK, CUHK-Shenzhen and the Guangdong Science and Technology Department to advancing cross-border partnership for a shared future. In May 2024, the three parties signed an agreement to co-establish a seed funding pool in support of impactful projects of scientific research, platform building and cultivation of young scholars in order to address the needs of economic and social development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The “1+1+1” Project marks an important step for CUHK and CUHK-Shenzhen to jointly serve the GBA and integrate into national development. The two universities are thankful for the staunch support and recognition of the Guangdong Science and Technology Department for our joint endeavours to inject fresh momentum into research and development in the GBA. Moving forward, we shall ride on the success of our decade-long collaboration based on the “one brand, two campuses” framework, and continue to strengthen our commitment to sharing research resources and co-training innovative talent to propel the GBA.
CUHK was delighted to establish a strategic alliance with AstraZeneca Global R&D (China) Co., Ltd. (AstraZeneca) to accelerate the transformation of basic medical research to clinical practice. A five-year agreement was signed between the University and AstraZeneca, underscoring our shared commitment to facilitating communication between academia and industry, fostering scientific innovation, and delivering tremendous impact on healthcare and society.
With the healthcare sector now facing multifaceted challenges ranging from the growing burden of chronic illnesses to the rise of emerging health threats, timely and effective solutions for transforming research breakthroughs into real-world clinical applications are much sought after. AstraZeneca, as a global leader in biopharmaceuticals with an impressive track record in advancing medicine and patient care, shares our vision to push the boundaries of innovation and bring life-changing solutions to those in need. I would like to express our sincere gratitude to AstraZeneca for their confidence in the research capabilities of CUHK. I am sure the strategic alliance will empower us to build a bridge between two critical pillars of healthcare – academic discovery and industrial innovation. Working hand in hand, we aspire to cultivate an ecosystem where researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders can collaborate seamlessly to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge medical solutions.
Knowledge sharing for development
The International Forum on Biomedicine and Research Excellence hosted by the Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities and co-organised by CUHK took place on 14 April, bringing together over 250 leading healthcare experts, scientists and visionary leaders to engage in constructive discussions and delve into groundbreaking advancements and future directions in biomedicine and innovative medicine. It gave me great pleasure to deliver a welcome address and host a plenary session at the event, which featured distinguished guests and esteemed speakers from around the world, including Professor Edvard Moser, a 2014 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physiology or Medicine. The Forum served as an ideal platform for thought-provoking discussions that have undoubtedly sparked new discoveries and propelled us towards significant breakthroughs in health sciences. I look forward to all the wonderful opportunities that lie ahead for CUHK to host more of these meaningful events, which allow us to foster impactful knowledge exchange across disciplines and borders for greater societal benefit.
Recognition of continued commitment
I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all CUHK award-winning teams at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. This year, research teams hailing from the Faculties of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Social Sciences clinched a record-breaking number of 34 awards at this prestigious event regarded as the world’s largest exhibition devoted exclusively to inventions. These accolades included seven Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury, eight Gold Medals, 11 Silver Medals, seven Bronze Medals, as well as the Thailand Award for the Best International Invention and Innovation presented by the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This impressive achievement underscores CUHK’s global leadership in pioneering research and innovation. I would like to express my deep appreciation to all CUHK research teams for showcasing their extraordinary creativity to the international community and sharing their innovation outcomes to generate greater social impact.
Last week, I was delighted to participate in the Long Service Award Presentation Ceremony for the first time as the Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK. This annual event honours colleagues who have dedicated decades of service to the University. This year, 278 colleagues from a wide range of units and departments receive the award for their unwavering commitment and instrumental contributions to all aspects of institutional development. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for their diligence and professionalism, and congratulate them on achieving this significant milestone in their career.
As one of the recipients of the 25-year Long Service Award two years ago, I feel deeply fortunate to be able to work alongside a community of loyal CUHK staff who collectively create a harmonious atmosphere that allows every member to thrive and contribute to the University. It is the spirit of service we constantly celebrate that defines CUHK and consistently inspires our work. Together, let us continue to build a dynamic campus that nurtures the growth of every individual and promotes the shared dedication of the entire CUHK community to excellence across all aspects.
The University Council has recently announced the appointment of Professor Isabella Poon Wai-yin as Provost. Having devoted an impressive 37 years to the University, Professor Poon, a distinguished CUHK alumna, has always held her alma mater close to her heart. During her tenure as Acting Provost, we worked together closely to launch the five-year strategic planning process. I am certain that her broad institutional leadership experience and visionary foresight will steer further breakthroughs at CUHK. Congratulations on her appointment and I look forward to strengthening our partnership to advance academic and research developments for the University.
As I pen this message, I am leading a delegation of CUHK senior management to embark on a significant visit to Beijing for advancing institutional development and collaborations with mainland partners. The visit includes meetings with leaders from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as other key partners to discuss future developments and explore opportunities for upcoming collaborations. I look forward to sharing the fruits of this important visit with you in our next edition.
Best wishes,
Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming
Vice-Chancellor and President
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
