Welcome to the March 2026 issue of the newsletter of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum!
A Ground of Inspirations
Embarking on the fifth edition of Exploring New Horizons, one of our key initiatives targeting secondary students, took place from January to March 2026. This year's programme has arranged 16 enriching visits, hosting close to 450 students and teachers from 18 secondary schools. Participants explored laboratories at local universities, research facilities, and science-related enterprises in Hong Kong. Guided by passionate representatives from these institutions and partners, students delved into diverse fields – from observing the Sun through telescope to examining cells under the microscope, from exploring innovative medical robotic arms to sustainable garment production.
This year, we are delighted that Exploring New Horizons forged a new partnership with FutureGen Girls Foundation, an esteemed organisation dedicated to empowering teen girls through STEM. Over 70 talented young female students participated in two engaging sessions, gained firsthand exposure to authentic laboratory environments, and engaged in meaningful dialogues with scientists and researchers. Through these experiences, students deepened their understanding of scientific work, strengthened their interest in science, and were inspired to pursue future research and discovery.
The Council of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum expresses its sincerest gratitude to the following partners and organisations (in alphabetical order) for their remarkable support for Exploring New Horizons 2026, and kudos to those who have been with us for consecutive years!
- Prof Chan Chi Hou and his research team from State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves, City University of Hong Kong
- Prof Tom Cheung and his research team from the Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Prof Chu Ming Chung and his research team from the Department of Physics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Prof Michael Ong and his research team from the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Prof Carmen Wong and her research team from Carmen Wong Cancer Biology Lab, The University of Hong Kong
- Research team from the Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development, Hong Kong Baptist University
- Research team from the Centre for Immunology & Infection, The University of Hong Kong
- Research team from HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, The University of Hong Kong
- Research team from Koln 3D Technology (Medical) Limited
- Research team from the Department of Mathematics (Computing Laboratory), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Research team from Microbiota I-Center (MagIC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Research team from Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Research team from Open Lab by The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Celebrating Scientific Excellence
In January, The Shaw Prize Foundation announced its first major expansion in over two decades – the establishment of The Shaw Prize in Computer Science. Since the start of the century, technological progress has transformed nearly every aspect of human life. At the heart of these advancements lies Computer Science, a discipline that poses fundamental questions and pushes human thinking to new limits. The addition of this new category is a natural extension of The Shaw Prize's vision – to honour groundbreaking ideas and discoveries that benefit humankind. The inaugural laureate(s) will be announced in 2027, alongside the existing categories of Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences.
The HKLF is thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone together with the scientific community. The Shaw Prize and the HKLF shared a common commitment – to recognise remarkable achievements and to ignite the passion of the next generation of scientific talent. Building on the success of the first two editions, preparations are underway for the third Hong Kong Laureate Forum, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027. The Forum will present a series of dedicated programmes that bring together established and young scientists, as well as the general public, and foster cross-generational, cross-cultural, and cross-disciplinary interactions to inspire further innovation and exploration.
Leading up to the Forum, the HKLF is honoured to host two sessions of science seminars targeting emerging researchers from the local universities and students. These sessions aim to inspire and equip participants with a deeper understanding of scientific principles, expose them to cutting-edge research frontiers, and cultivate interdisciplinary dialogues. Stay tuned for more information on these stimulating seminars!
