Honorary University Fellows
Professor Philip Wong Hon Sum is a world-renowned expert in nanotechnology, nanoelectronics and semiconductor technology, and the Willard R. and Inez Kerr Bell Professor in the School of Engineering at Stanford University.
Professor Wong holds a BSc Hons degree from the University of Hong Kong, and MS from the State University of New York, Stony Brook, and a PhD from Lehigh University, and Honorary Doctorate from the Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble, France.
He joined Stanford University as Professor of Electrical Engineering in 2004. At the IBM TJ Watson Research Center from 1988 to 2004, he conducted the early research that has led to product technologies. From 2018 to 2020, he was on leave from Stanford and was the Vice President of Corporate Research at TSMC, the largest semiconductor foundry in the world, and since 2020 remains the Chief Scientist of TSMC in a consulting, advisory role.
Professor Wong’s research aims to translate discoveries in science into practical technologies. He is a Fellow of the IEEE an received the IEEE Electron Devices Society JJ Ebers Award, the Society’s highest honour in recognition of contributions to the field of electron devices that have made a lasting impact, and the IEEE Andrew S. Grove award for outstanding contributions to solid-state devices and technology.
He has held visiting or honorary professorships at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Peking University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Chiao Tung University (now National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University), and was visiting Chair Professor of Nanoelectronics at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and visiting Chair of Excellence of the Nanosciences Foundation (France).
Professor Wong is also a loyal alumni leader and a tireless global advocate of the University of Hong Kong, championing its students and the work of its scholars, and creating for them collaborative opportunities for innovation and discovery around the world. Professor Wong is a Board Member of the Friends of the University of Hong Kong Limited, which facilitates donations to HKU from the US, and connects the University with alumni and friends in the US.
Citation delivered by Professor David SROLOVITZ, Dean of Engineering
Professor Philip Wong Hon Sum is world-renowned as a distinguished expert in nanotechnology, nanoelectronics and semiconductor technology, and is the Willard R and Inez Kerr Bell Professor in the School of Engineering at Stanford University.
Professor Wong holds a Bachelor of Science Honours degree from the University of Hong Kong, a Master of Science from the State University of New York, Stony Brook, and a PhD from Lehigh University. In 2012, he was conferred an Honorary Doctorate from the Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble, France.
He joined Stanford University as Professor of Electrical Engineering in 2004. At the IBM T J Watson Research Center from 1988 to 2004, he conducted early research that led to new product technologies. He served as Vice President of Corporate Research at TSMC, the largest semiconductor foundry in the world, from 2018 to 2020, and was appointed its Chief Scientist in 2020.
Professor Wong’s research translates discoveries in science into practical technologies. His works have contributed to advancements in nanoscale science and technology, semiconductor technology, solid-state devices, and electronic imaging. His present research covers a broad range of topics including carbon electronics, 2D layered materials, wireless implantable biosensors, directed self-assembly, device modelling, brain-inspired computing, non-volatile memory, and 3D system integration.
Professor Wong is a Fellow of the IEEE, and in 2019, he received the J J Ebers Award, the IEEE Electron Devices Society’s highest honour in recognition of outstanding technical contributions to the field of electron devices that have made a lasting impact.
He has held visiting or honorary professorships at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Peking University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Chiao Tung University, and was visiting Chair Professor of Nanoelectronics at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and visiting Chair of Excellence of the Nanosciences Foundation (France).
While Professor Wong’s scholarly reputation is undeniably stellar and certainly global in reach, in his heart, there remains a deep bond with his alma mater, the University of Hong Kong.
Indeed, Professor Wong is a loyal alumni leader and a tireless global advocate of the University, championing our students and the work of our academics. He has helped HKU colleagues develop research teams, and
created for them collaborative opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation and discovery around the world.
And he is always the generous and gracious host when an HKU delegation crosses the Pacific for an official visit.
He is a Board Member of the Friends of the University of Hong Kong Limited, which facilitates support and donations to HKU from the United States, and – time and again – our senior leadership has relied on him to connect the University with alumni and friends across America.
Therefore, Mr Pro-Chancellor, it is my great pleasure to present Professor Philip Wong Hon Sum for the Honorary University Fellowship, in recognition of his contributions to Hong Kong and academia.