HKU Bulletin January 2011 (Vol. 12 No. 1)

Dec 2010 The University of Hong Kong Bulletin News in Brief Professor Anthony Yeh Gar-on, Chair Professor of the Centre of Urban Studies and Urban Planning was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS), which is an autonomous international organization, founded in 1983 by a distinguished group of scientists and officially launched by the United Nations in 1985. The Academy is currently composed of 999 of the most distinguished scientists worldwide. Only scientists who have attained the highest international standards and International Recognition for HKU Members made significant contributions to the advancement of science can be nominated as Fellows or Associate Fellows. Fellows are scientists who live and work in developing countries and who have made contributions to their fields of science that meet internationally accepted standards of excellence. Professor Anthony Yeh is the third Fellow from HKU elected by the Academy after Professors Vivian Yam and Che Chi- ming, who were elected in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Professor Yeh is a pioneer in the development of advanced GIS methods and models for the planning of sustainable development, especially in the development of cellular automata urban planning models. He is also internationally known for his studies of urban spatial structures in Hong Kong and China. Professor Yang Dan, Morningside Professor in Chemical Biology of the Department of Chemistry has been awarded the 2011 TWAS Prize in Chemistry, in recognition of her significant contributions to the development of novel methods for the synthesis of bioactive natural products and probes for biomedical research. Each year the Academy awards eight prizes of US$15,000 each to individual scientists who have been working and living in a developing country for at least ten years. The Prizes are given in the following fields of science: agricultural sciences, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, engineering sciences, mathematics, medical sciences and physics. * $ + ' ' $ I 3 3 - A * $ + ' ' $ A 3 @ ? 3 HKU Professor Vivian Yam Wing-wah, Philip Wong Wilson Wong Professor in Chemistry and Energy, and Chair of Chemistry, was named Laureate of the 13 th L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Awards 2011 for her contributions in light- emitting materials and innovative ways of capturing solar energy. Each year, five outstanding women scientists – one per continent – are honoured for their research contributions, the strength of their commitment and their impact on society. Professor Yam is the laureate of the Asia/ Pacific region. The awards ceremony will take place in March 2011 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Professor Yam felt deeply privileged and greatly honoured to receive the award. “It shows that Hong Kong has strength and talent in scientific research and development,” said Professor Yam, adding that she herself is a typical Hong Kong educated scientist. Chemistry Professor Vivian Yam Named Laureate of the L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Awards 2011 05 HKU held its Honorary University Fellowships presentation ceremony on September 14, 2010 which was presided over by Dr the Hon David K.P. Li, Pro-Chancellor of the University. Honorary University Fellowships were presented to eight distinguished individuals, in recognition of their contributions to the University and the community. At the Eight Distinguished Individuals Presented with Honorary University Fellowships Back row from left: Mr Richard Hui Chung-yee, Mr Lam Chiu-ying, Mr Alexander Law Kai-yui, Mr Lee Man-ban, Mr Edwin Leong Siu-hung, and Ir Edmund Leung Kwong-ho. Front row from left: Mr Chan Wai-nam, Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, Dr the Hon David Li, Dr the Hon Leong Che-hung, and Ms Mabel Cheung Yuen-ting. She was thankful to the community and donors like Dr Philip Wong and Dr Wilson Wong, and HKU and the government for their wide support given to scientific research. She urged young scientists to follow their interests, and demonstrate passion and commitment in their professions. “I firmly believe that regardless of one’s gender, as long as one has the passion, dedication and determination to pursue research wholeheartedly, one can excel and produce results of world-class quality.” HKU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui was delighted that Professor Yam won the award, which he said was well- deserved recognition for her tremendous contributions to academia and research. Professor Yam’s main area of research is in inorganic/organometallic syntheses and photochemistry related to luminescence and solar energy conversion. Professor Yam’s seminal works on luminescent polynuclear metal complexes and clusters, and light-emitting carbon- rich organometallics have gained her international recognition. ceremony, HKU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui extended his gratitude on behalf of the University community to the fellows for their contributions to the University and society. Professor Tsui said: “They are true examples of commitment, determination, generosity and leadership, because they themselves lead by example.” The Honorary University Fellowships were established in 1995 to reaffirm the University’s link between town and gown. “Our relationship with society is an important part of the University’s heritage and the Fellowships are an enduring symbol of this partnership,“ added Professor Tsui. The University of Hong Kong Bulletin January 2011