#Hong Kong #HKUST #Nobel Laureates #Science Forum

Nobel Laureates Engage With Students at HKUST

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) recently marked a significant milestone by hosting a captivating dialogue featuring three eminent Nobel Prize winners. The event attracted nearly 200 attendees on campus and extended its reach online with 2,000 viewers from various educational institutions across Mainland China. This initiative underscores HKUST's commitment to fostering cross-disciplinary innovation and creating bridges between the local scientific community and global thought leaders.

The event, titled "Together with the Scientists – Nobel Laureates Visit HKUST," formed part of the Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference and Xiang Jiang Nobel Forum. It took place on April 14, 2025, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities. The program showcased the remarkable insights of three distinguished laureates:

• - Prof. May-Britt Moser (2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine) recognized for her groundbreaking discoveries concerning grid cells in the brain’s spatial navigation system.
• - Prof. Konstantin Novoselov (2010 Nobel Prize in Physics) celebrated for his pioneering work on graphene and other two-dimensional materials.
• - Prof. Didier Queloz (2019 Nobel Prize winner in Physics), known for his landmark discovery of the first exoplanet orbiting a sun-like star.

During their presentations, the laureates shared personal anecdotes from their scientific journeys and emphasized the significance of curiosity-driven research as a pathway to innovation. Their discussions highlighted the passion and commitment required to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

In her opening remarks, HKUST President Prof. Nancy Ip expressed warm greetings to the laureates and profound appreciation to the event's organizers and support teams. She articulated, “Today's event is not just an opportunity to meet esteemed scientists, but a moment to dive into the essence of scientific inquiry and discovery. HKUST has consistently dedicated itself to fostering innovation, research, and knowledge transfer since its inception. Our Nobel Laureates embody the spirit of curiosity, creativity, and resilience that we aim to cultivate at HKUST. I hope their journeys inspire all of us to push boundaries and work collaboratively across disciplines to advance knowledge for the betterment of society.”

The event culminated in an interactive Q&A session, allowing students and researchers to engage directly with the laureates. Moderated by Prof. Angela Wu from the Division of Life Science at HKUST, the session illuminated a range of topics, from materials science and neuroscience to astrophysics, establishing an enriching platform for dialogue.

This gathering stands as a testament to HKUST's enduring legacy of connecting global leaders to facilitate knowledge exchange, nurture talent, and address urgent challenges through innovative research. Just last November, HKUST organized a prestigious three-day "Molecular Frontiers Symposium", featuring four Nobel laureates and spurring inspiration and discussions aimed at shaping the future of science and engineering.

The insightful exchanges during this recent event continue to reflect HKUST's vision of being at the forefront of scientific innovation and education, inspiring the next generation of pioneers and thinkers.

For those interested, a gallery of photos capturing the highlights of this significant occasion is available here.