Welcome to the 68th edition of CUHK in Focus.
On 1 July 2025, members of the CUHK community gathered on our main campus for a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The memorable occasion inspired us to reflect on the fruitful journey of our city upon its return to the Motherland 28 years ago. I was delighted to celebrate this meaningful moment alongside CUHK Council members, staff, students, alumni and friends of the University. Under the principle of “One country, Two systems”, Hong Kong enjoys the strong support of our country while maintaining close connection with the rest of the world. I am confident that we shall continue to rise to new challenges and opportunities ahead, making great strides in technological and industrial innovations to drive economic growth and contribute to our country’s modernisation and rejuvenation.
On the same day, the Government of Hong Kong SAR announced the 2025 Honours List and Justices of the Peace appointments. We were delighted to see a remarkable number of University members recognised for their contributions across various sectors of the community (please refer to the highlight on the University members awarded honours and appointed Justices of the Peace for more information). I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all award recipients and newly appointed Justices of the Peace. Notably, several of Council members were among those honoured: our Council Chairman, Professor John Chai Yat-chiu, was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star for his exemplary commitment to the innovation and technology (I&T) development in Hong Kong; Mr Albert Wong Hak-keung was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star for his contributions to the I&T sector; and Mr Symon Wong Yu-wing was awarded the Medal of Honour for his outstanding public services. These recognitions speak to the calibre of leadership supporting CUHK and the meaningful role our University community continues to play in shaping society. My sincere gratitude goes to all honourees and appointees for their significant contributions to society and I wish them continued success in the years ahead.
Tribute to Honorary Fellows
CUHK welcomed three outstanding individuals to our league of Honorary Fellows at a presentation ceremony in late June. Professor Ching Pak-chung, Professor Priscilla Leung Mei-fun and Professor Anthony Wu Ting-yuk were recognised for their notable contributions to their own professional field and the community at large. The University is especially thankful for their dedication to advancing its development as a leading higher institution in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Please join me in offering our heartfelt congratulations to the three newly conferred Honorary Fellows on this richly deserved accolade, and our gratitude for their selfless commitment to CUHK, as well as Hong Kong’s education landscape and society.
Distinguished Lecture on Sustainable Development 2025
As the co-host of the Hong Kong Chapter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN Hong Kong), CUHK jointly organised the Distinguished Lecture on Sustainable Development 2025 with the Australian Consulate-General Hong Kong. This collaboration demonstrates our shared commitment to advancing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations. This year, we were honoured to have Professor Bai Xuemei, Distinguished Professor of the Fenner School of Environment and Society at The Australian National University, share her insights with us. A leading expert in urban policy planning on climate change, Professor Bai delivered an engaging and inspiring presentation on “Cities as Transformative Agents for Global Sustainability”. Her sharing offered valuable perspectives to CUHK staff and students on the evolving role of cities in addressing global challenges and urban sustainability, which is a topic that demands our collective attention as the threat posed by climate change is no longer distant nor abstract. Professor Bai’s lecture could not have been more timely. As the first local university committed to setting a clear pathway to carbon neutrality, CUHK will continue to work with all our global partners to pave the way towards a more sustainable future, not just for Hong Kong, but for the entire world.
A day to remember
28 June 2025 was a special day for the CUHK community as it marked the occasion when the Federation of Alumni Associations of CUHK gathered more than 500 staff members, students and alumni both online and offline to set a new Guinness World Record for the most people completing a fitness routine together simultaneously. This event aimed to show support for the 15th National Games, the 12th National Paralympic Games and the 9th Special Olympics, while demonstrating the strong spirit of unity within CUHK. I would like to thank CUHKFAA and every participant who contributed to this historic achievement. The feat of breaking this world record together truly exemplifies our shared commitment to fitness, as well as solidarity and inclusiveness, which are essential qualities that define our community and inspire us to overcome challenges together.
A decade of excellence
I was in Shanghai earlier this month for the 10th Anniversary Ceremony of the Future Science Prize. It was my tremendous honour to receive the Future Science Prize in the Life Science category in 2016, the year it was established by a group of passionate scientists and entrepreneurs to recognise scientists from Greater China who have contributed to global scientific advancement. For the past ten years, the prestigious Prize has ignited the spirit of science and inspired more and more young people to pursue scientific research and innovation as their career. The 10th anniversary celebration kicked off in Shanghai in July and will continue in Hong Kong in October this year. It gives me great honour to co-chair the Programme Committee of the Future Science Prize Week 2025 in Hong Kong. A series of activities including talks by Nobel laureates, academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and global experts, thematic summits, an award presentation ceremony, and many more, will be organised to immerse scientists from around the world in interdisciplinary knowledge exchange that transcends boundaries. Science is a common language and the driving force for human progress. I look forward to the gathering of minds in Hong Kong in October as we shape the future of science with our global counterparts.
As summer unfolds, I hope you will find time to relax and recharge. CUHK in Focus will also take a short break over the coming weeks, and I wish you a joyful and restful holiday. After the break, we look forward to bringing you stories in a refreshed format.
Best wishes,
Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming
Vice-Chancellor and President
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
