Welcome to the September 2025 issue of the newsletter of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum!

As excitement builds for the upcoming Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2025 (Forum 2025), which will take place from 5 to 8 November, we are thrilled to share the latest updates and highlights as we approach one of the most anticipated scientific events of the year.

A Well-attended, Insightful Press Conference

The press conference for Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2025 was successfully held on 15 September, marking the official commencement of this esteemed scientific gathering. The event was attended by distinguished guests and leaders in the society. The officiating guests included the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Hong Kong SAR Government, representatives from our Principal Sponsor – Lee Shau Kee Foundation, and from our Major Partner – The Shaw Prize Foundation. The event also welcomed our Sponsor – MTR Corporation, together with academics, and various young scientists, who all joined to witness the pivotal moment of the Forum's launch.

Prof Timothy Tong, our Chairman, remarked, “The Hong Kong Laureate Forum aligns with Hong Kong's aspiration to serve the global scientific community and become an international innovation and technology hub. It turns aspiration into action, and action into lasting impact.” 

Also present were Dr Felix Shremmer and Dr Raphaela Iris Lau, who joined the Inaugural Forum as young scientists in 2023, sharing their experiences and emphasising the Forum's importance of fostering international scientific collaboration. Prof Reinhard Genzel, Shaw Prize and Nobel Prize winner who will participate in Forum 2025, appeared in a pre-recorded video interview, and encouraged young scientists to explore the unknown and pursue their intellectual dream.

Click to see the photo album of the event, and the press release in full.

Gathering the Brightest Scientific Minds

This year's Forum will bring together 12 distinguished Shaw Laureates who have made remarkable contributions in Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences. Among them are Prof Reinhard Genzel, and Prof Wolfgang Baumeister, 2025 Shaw Laureate in Life Science and Medicine, who will share their scientific journeys and engage in in-depth exchanges with young scientists through plenary sessions, breakout sessions, breakfast gathering, and cross-cultural experiences.

A Curated and Dynamic Forum Programme for Young Scientists

After a rigorous selection process, more than 200 young scientists from over 25 countries and regions will gather in Hong Kong for this year's Forum. Their involvement extends beyond attendance; they are integral to our mission of fostering cross-generational, cross-cultural, and cross-disciplinary exchange.

A thoughtfully curated programme allows our young scientists to engage in sophisticated dialogue at the highest academic level, and an authentic experience of Hong Kong as a science hub. Highlights include:

• Flash Presentations: Young scientists will take the stage for swift and impactful showcases of their latest research.
• Poster Presentations: They will also present their work in dedicated poster sessions, engaging with distinguished scientists and peers to exchange insights.
• Lab and Industry Visits: Visits to select InnoHK R&D Centres and a corporate based in the Greater Bay Area will deepen their understanding of the region’s scientific landscape and innovation ecosystem.

Inspirations for Young Minds

To nurture scientific interests among the young generation in Hong Kong, School Dialogues: Inspiring the Young Future will be held on 7 November at three secondary schools in parallel, namely HKFYG Lee Shau Kee College, Maryknoll Convent School, and Ying Wa Girls’ School. Students from these schools, as well as others, are warmly invited to seize this rare opportunity to meet and interact with Shaw Laureates in person, gaining insights into their research, life journeys, advice, and encouragement.

Connecting Inspirational Minds with Public Engagement

As one of the city's most prestigious scientific events, Forum 2025 attracts coverage in global media as well as in publications specialised in science, technology, and education — once again consolidating the Forum's role as a catalyst for global intellectual exchange.

To encourage public participation, we will hold a public forum at the Hong Kong Science Museum on 8 November. This session, along with the key Forum programmes on the morning of 5 and 6 November, will be live-streamed online and subsequently made available in the Forum's video archive for public viewing.

Also, make sure to visit The Shaw Prize 2025 Exhibition at the Hong Kong Science Museum between 17 October and 17 December to learn more about the groundbreaking research of this year's Laureates.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2025, where science, innovation, and collaboration come together to shape a brighter future.