HONG KONG, Dec. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The inauguration ceremony of The Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong ("ASHK") was held today in the Government House. The ASHK's establishment marks a much-expected milestone in the road map of Hong Kong's science innovation and technology, heralding a new phase of societal and economic development empowered by scientific breakthroughs.
Under the presidency of Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, ASHK sets out to promote scientific research and education, to serve as a focal point for academic assembly and discussion, and, to help realise Hong Kong's aspiration as a centre of scientific and technological 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, including related policy agenda.
The inauguration ceremony was 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, The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, Professor Bai Chun-li, President of Chinese Academy of Science and Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, President of The Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong. Renowned international academicians representing counterpart academies from the US, UK, France, Europe and Taiwan also attended the ceremony and offered congratulatory remarks.
The idea of establishing a high-level, independent and non-profit making organisation that comprises Hong Kong's most prominent science intellectuals stemmed from the time when Hong Kong was hit by the outbreak of SARS in 2003. While Hong Kong successfully eradicated the viral epidemic, the incidence highlighted the quality of science and medical research, and the leadership position of Hong Kong academics in basic and translational research among the international academic community.
"Hong Kong ought to recognise its exceptional scientific leaders. Hong Kong is unquestionably a great city for scientific research and innovation, with world-class universities and so many distinguished academics working tirelessly in different fields of science and nurturing the next generation of scientists," said Professor Lap-Chee Tsui.
"My fellow members of ASHK and I are also 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 education in schools to nurture the next generation of scientists. I am confident that ASHK will have a lot to contribute towards steering Hong Kong to become Asia's leading centre of scientific research and development," added Professor Tsui.
With ASHK's inauguration, Hong Kong now has an official organisation to provide our highest academic honour. It will be treated on equal terms with counterparts in the Mainland, the US, UK and elsewhere. ASHK is composed of 27 founding members (see Appendix) of international stature and each of them has provided outstanding contributions to the advancement of sciences in Hong Kong.
The first ASHK event after its inauguration is a Science and Technology Innovation Summit to be held at Hong Kong Science Park tomorrow (Sunday). World renowned scientists and leaders of various sectors in Hong Kong will debate on the subjects of Science and Society, as well as Application of Scientific Research Findings.
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About The Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong
Established in 2015, The Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong (ASHK) is committed to promoting the development and advancement of science and technology in Hong Kong, and fostering Hong Kong as a centre of scientific excellence.
ASHK has several key functions: (a) to promote the development and advancement of science and technology in Hong Kong, (b) to promote and advance the teaching of science and technology in Hong Kong, (c) to educate and inform the public on issues pertaining to science and technology and (d) to foster Hong Kong as a centre of scientific excellence.
The Academy will cooperate with the industrial and commerce sectors to strengthen the application of research results. It will also conduct independent studies to inform and advise the HKSAR Government on formulating policy in science and technology.
More information about ASHK is available at http://www.ashk.org.hk/.
Appendix
Founding Members of ASHK
Members |
Organisations |
Jean-Marie LEHN |
Universite de Strasbourg |
Yuet-Wai KAN |
University of California at San Francisco |
Tak-Wah MAK |
University of Toronto |
Daniel C. TSUI |
Princeton University |
Paul C.W. CHU |
University of Houston |
Philippe G. CIARLET |
City University of Hong Kong |
Lap-Chee TSUI |
Victor and William Fung Foundation and Zhejiang University |
Chi-Ming CHE |
The University of Hong Kong |
Andrew Chi-Chih YAO |
Tsinghua University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
Henry N.C. WONG |
The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
Mu-Ming POO |
University of California, Berkeley, and Institute of Neuroscience, The Chinese Academy of Sciences |
Way KUO |
City University of Hong Kong |
Ching-Ping WONG |
The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
Albert S.C. CHAN |
Sun Yat-Sen University |
Nancy Y. IP |
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology |
John C.Y. LEONG |
Hospital Authority of Hong Kong |
Vivian W.W. YAM |
The University of Hong Kong |
Yum-Tong SIU |
Harvard University |
Sheung-Tat FAN |
Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital |
J. S. Malik PEIRIS |
The University of Hong Kong |
Ching W. TANG |
University of Rochester, and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology |
Kwok-Yung YUEN |
The University of Hong Kong |
Wing-Hung WONG |
Stanford University |
Dennis Y.M. LO |
The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
Joseph J.Y. SUNG |
The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
Ming-Jie ZHANG |
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology |
Tony F. CHAN |
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology |
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