Published: 19:36, November 11, 2024
Five scholars bag HK$2m prizes for scientific breakthroughs
By Atlas Shao in Hong Kong
President of the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation Dennis Lo Yuk-ming delivers a speech at the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize 2024 news conference, Bank of China Tower, Central, Hong Kong, Nov 11, 2024. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Five scholars at Hong Kong universities won the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize 2024 on Monday, prestigious awards that are crucial to the city’s future tech-innovation and offer significant support to the special administrative region’s economic transition.

Each of them will pocket HK$2 million ($257,250) in prize money, for their respective contributions to the research of artificial intelligence and robotics, life and health, new materials and new energy, advanced manufacturing and fintech. This year’s award ceremony will take place on Dec 16.

Established in 2022, the prize aims to encourage scientific and technological innovation and the transfer of technological achievements in Hong Kong. For the first time, the nomination scope of the prize was expanded to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

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At a news conference announcing the awards, leading scientist Dennis Lo Yuk-ming said that this year’s prize was expanded to include Hong Kong universities’ branches and research institutes in the Greater Bay Area, with the aim of supporting and encouraging scientific researchers, especially those younger than 50.

Lo, who is the president of the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation, organizer of the prize, said that young researchers are the future of Hong Kong’s technological innovation and are crucial to technological development in the SAR and the country. He said he hopes that the prize can provide more resources and support to young researchers and encourage them to contribute more.

Among five laureates, Chai Yang, winner of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics prize, contributed to disruptive in-sensor computing paradigms for artificial vision sensors, which enables information processing directly within the sensors.

Life and science awardee Ng Siew Chien was recognized for applying noninvasive tests for early diagnosis and timely intervention of gastrointestinal tract and autism spectrum disorders. She is the first female awardee since the establishment of this prize in 2022.

Other awardees Zhang Hua, Chen Shih-chi and Wang Cong made breakthroughs in the field of phase engineering of nanomaterials, 3D micro- and nanofabrication and innovative data and AI security technologies respectively.

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Ng and Chen are from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Zhang and Wang are from the City University of Hong Kong, and Chai Yang is from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

 

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com