This photo shows Sun Dong (second from left), secretary for innovation, technology and industry of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and HKLF chairman Timothy Tong Wai-cheung (third from left) at the inauguration ceremony of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum in Hong Kong on June 6, 2023. (WILLIAM XU / CHINA DAILY)

More than 200 young scientists from over 30 countries and regions will be invited to have in-depth communication with some of the world’s brightest minds in astronomy, life sciences and medicine, and mathematical sciences at the inaugural Hong Kong Laureate Forum to be held in November.

The six-day forum, from Nov 13 to 18, aims to provide a platform for junior and seasoned scientific leaders to have cross-disciplinary dialogue and to help young scientists to gain experience, the event organizer said at the forum’s inauguration ceremony on Tuesday.

Sun said he hopes the forum would not only be an eye opener for young talents, especially those from Hong Kong, but also a window that allows scientists from the rest of the world to understand Hong Kong’s latest scientific achievements

Delivering a keynote speech at the event, Timothy Tong Wai-cheung, the HKLF chairman, said that over 20 laureates of the Shaw Prize, a renowned annual award founded by Hong Kong business tycoon Run Run Shaw to honor distinguished individuals in astronomy, life sciences and medicine, and mathematical science, will be invited to Hong Kong to share their insights with over 200 young scientists via a series of seminars and symposiums to be held during the forum.

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The conversations with experts from different generations and disciplines are also expected to help young scientific talents spark new ideas and advance their works, Tong said.

In a separate speech, Sun Dong, secretary for innovation, technology and industry of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said although Hong Kong has a global reputation for trade and finance, the city's strength in innovation and technology is rarely known.

Sun said he hopes the forum would not only be an eye opener for young talents, especially those from Hong Kong, but also a window that allows scientists from the rest of the world to understand Hong Kong’s latest scientific achievements.

The forum will invite several hundred local secondary school students to participate in and talk with top scientists directly. The organizer plans to broadcast the event and upload the videos online, helping the forum to reach young people who are unable to attend in-person.

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The HKLF, established in May 2019, is fully funded by the Lee Shau Kee Foundation, with the Shaw Prize as the major partner. The inaugural Laureate Forum was scheduled for 2021 but had to be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.