A Hub for Scientific and Technological Development
The Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong Established
Officiating guests, Founding Members of the Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong (ASHK) and international academicians came together to celebrate its establishment.
HKU academics joined other scientists of international stature to help advance Hong Kong’s scientific research and education with the establishment of the Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong. Distinguished HKU scientists Professor Che Chi-ming, Professor Vivian Yam, Professor Malik Peiris and Professor Yuen Kwok-yung were among the 27 Founding Members of the Academy.
The Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong is an independent and non-profit making organisation and was established in 2015 with a commitment to promote the development and advancement of science and technology in Hong Kong, and foster Hong Kong as a centre of scientific excellence. The Academy will also conduct studies and periodic summits to bring together international expert scientists and the business sector to discuss on issues relevant to Hong Kong’s science and technology development.
The inauguration ceremony of the Academy was held in Government House in December 2015, officiated by Professor Wan Gang, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Minister of Science and Technology; the Honourable CY Leung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Professor Bai Chunli, President of Chinese Academy of Science; and Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, HKU’s 14th Vice-Chancellor and President of the new Academy.
Professor Tsui said at the inauguration ceremony: “My fellow members of the Academy and I are aware of the importance of interplay between science and society; besides working within the scientific community, we will enhance our role in the business sector, to facilitate application and commercialisation of our research findings, and to assist research and development in the industry sector, and in promoting STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] education in schools to nurture the next generation of scientists. I am confident that the Academy will have a lot to contribute towards steering Hong Kong to become Asia’s leading centre of scientific research and development.”