The first school of its kind in Hong Kong, the Zhizhen School is committed to nurturing outstanding talent in mathematical sciences. The entire programme leading to a doctoral degree lasts about eight years. Students will receive foundational training in mathematics and physics during their first three years of study, in addition to elective subjects such as artificial intelligence, engineering and statistics. In the fourth and fifth years, students will begin their postgraduate coursework under the guidance of leading mathematicians, physicists and AI experts from around the world.

The School adopts a training model similar to that of Tsinghua University’s Qiuzhen College, founded by Professor Yau, and will deepen its collaboration with that institution under his leadership. Zhizhen School students will also have opportunities to participate in exchanges, research and internships at world-renowned institutions during their studies.

In his welcome address, Professor Lo said: “The Zhizhen School pioneers effort in nurturing a cadre of top scientists for Hong Kong, the country, and indeed the world. We believe this international education platform could further stimulate the potential of students talented in mathematics, allowing them to interact with each other and top teachers from around the world, thus taking elite mathematical education to new heights.”

Professor Yau encouraged students at the Zhizhen School to aspire to become not only future scientists but also leaders who harness mathematical wisdom to advance societal progress. He emphasised that nurturing future pioneers in mathematics requires building a solid foundation from an early age, particularly around 13 to 14 years old – a critical period for developing innovative thinking and scientific intuition. He especially urged local students with mathematical potential to seize the opportunity to join the Zhizhen School as early as possible and benefit from its specially designed interdisciplinary curriculum in mathematical sciences.

He added that he looks forward to these students realising their potential in the interdisciplinary fields of mathematics and technology, and injecting fresh momentum into the nation’s technological self-reliance and long-term development.

The first cohort of students in the 2025/26 academic year includes 11 non-local students and three local students. They will study on the CUHK campus during the first year.

Henry Wong Houyuan, a representative of the inaugural cohort of Zhizhen students, said: “The School makes full use of CUHK’s diversity and offers us new possibilities. During the preparatory study programme, my classmates also inspired me: their active participation in class, their passion for research and discussion after class, and especially their love for mathematics.”

Other officiating guests of the inauguration included Academician of the Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Tian Ye; Associate Dean of Tsinghua University’s Qiuzhen College Professor Wang Xiaofang; Vice President of Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications Professor Wu Rongling; Vice-Director of Shanghai Institute for Mathematics and Interdisciplinary Sciences Professor Shang Zaijiu; Vice-Director of Shanghai Institute for Mathematics and Interdisciplinary Sciences Professor Li Yi; Deputy Director, Shing-Tung Yau Center of Southeast University Professor Wang Shuanhong, CUHK senior management and leaders of the CUHK Mathematics Department.

The “Frontier in Mathematical Sciences” academic conference, held in the afternoon, featured keynote lectures by Professor Ngô; Professor Gao Ziyang of the University of California, Los Angeles; and Dr Kostas Psaromiligkos, Postdoctoral Researcher at Clermont Auvergne University, France. Two students from Tsinghua University’s Qiuzhen College also shared their research outcomes.