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Jointly organised by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the US National Academy of Engineering (NAE), ”HKU-NAE The Grand Challenges for Engineering Symposium” connected Hong Kong and US thought leaders and luminaries to address the role of engineering and science in solving global challenges.

The core mission of HKU and NAE is to advance the well-being of society and to promote talent development. To address the grand challenges facing Hong Kong, Greater China, region, and the world in the 21st Century would require innovative thinking and capacity building.

The Symposium held on HKU campus today (August 16, Thursday) brought together the President of HKU Professor Xiang Zhang and the President of NAE C. D. (Dan) Mote, Jr., along with Nobel Laureate Dr. Robert Grubbs and multiple NAE, CAS and NAS members.

Addressing participants at the opening ceremony, Professor Zhang hoped the symposium would provide an opportunity to share insights and experience with experts from around the world. He said: “The University of Hong Kong is strongly dedicated to the advancement of engineering. I believe we must drive innovation and transform HKU into new dimensions of excellence. Exceptional academic scholarship is key. The core of such a transformation is a world-class faculty; that’s why we will be aggressively recruiting and retaining the best faculty from all over the world.”

This public event was meant to excite, to inform, and to challenge. As a program organiser, HKU Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Global) Professor W. John Kao said: “The event showcased one of the best traits of Hong Kong and HKU – as an energetic confluence that attracts, inspires, and nurture world-class talents to achieve our greatest aspiration. HKU is committed to strive for not only academic excellence but to foster global mindset and transversal skills to work effectively across disciplinary and cultural boundaries.”

The Symposium featured 18 speakers from academia, industry and government who gave talks on an array of engineering and science-related topics, including Advanced Implants for Ophthalmology, Molecular Functional Materials, Computing and Technology. In an effort to kindle new collaborations and spark actionable solutions to the current challenges in engineering, two panel discussions were carried out to examine the dynamics between engineering education and grand challenges, as well as practices that span today’s engineering/science sectors.

Key topics that were presented at the event include: "The Global Grand Challenges Movement”, “Role of Professional Societies in Undergraduate Engineering Education”, “Grand Challenges: A Global Vision for 21st Century Engineering” and  “Convergence of ophthalmology and biomedical engineering”.

Media enquiries:
Communication and Public Affairs Office:
Ms Trinni Choy (Tel: 2859 2606 / Email: pychoy@hku.hk)
Ms Rashida Suffiad (Tel: 2857 8555 / Email: rsuffiad@hku.hk)
Ms Melanie Wan (Tel: 2859 2600 / Email: melwkwan@hku.hk)