Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Email this article news.gov.hk
Hong Kong scientists receive State Science and Technology Awards (with photos)
**********************************************************

     The achievements of Hong Kong scientists have been recognised on the Mainland, with local scientists winning seven awards at the 2011 State Science and Technology Awards (SSTAs) as announced by the National Office for Science and Technology Awards (NOSTA) in Beijing today (February 14).

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, said, "The awards received by the Hong Kong scientists highlight our excellent capabilities in basic and applied research and serve as motivation for their fellow scientists as well as the Government. We congratulate the awardees on their achievements and hope they continue to scale new heights in their research."

     Two winning projects nominated by the HKSARG are as follows:

The State Technological Invention Award (STIA)

     The Hong Kong research project "Invention, theoretical and experimental investigation and applications of some novel antennas", led by the Director of the Partner State Key Laboratory of Millimeter Waves of the City University of Hong Kong, Professor Luk Kwai-man, received an STIA second-class award.  The project's core team members include Professors Chan Chi-hou, Xue Quan and Dr Wong Hang.

     The winning team is world-renowned in the field of wireless communication antenna technology.  The small wireless communication antennas developed by the team maintain high receptivity without compromising production costs through broadened bandwidth and multiple-band applications.  The technologies have been widely used in wireless mobile communications and global positioning systems (GPS).  For example, when the fixed line communication systems were destroyed by the Sichuan earthquake, the rescue teams relied on the Beidou Satellite Navigation System supported by slot-tail patch antenna, an invention of the winning team, for GPS-based two-way communications in order to continue their rescue missions.
 
The State Natural Science Award (SNSA)

     The research project "Receptor tyrosine kinase-dependent signalling in synapse development and plasticity", conducted by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's Professor Nancy Ip, received an SNSA second-class award.

     Our cognitive functions and behaviour are controlled by the nervous system, the development and function of which are regulated by a plethora of signalling molecules. Aberrant signal transduction between neurons could result in disruption of normal brain functioning, leading to various neurological disorders. Professor Ip has devoted herself to elucidating the signalling mechanisms that control the proper development and functioning of the nervous system. Her recent findings have unravelled multiple signalling pathways that are critical for neuron communication and brain function. These discoveries have revealed the key molecular basis of learning and memory, which can facilitate the development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools against neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

     Five winning projects nominated by Mainland bodies are as follows:

     Four projects nominated by Mainland bodies received second-class SNSA awards. They are "Localizability for Wireless Network and IOT: Theory and Practice", carried out by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's Professors Liu Yunhao, Lionel Ni, Li Mo and Yang Zheng; "Analytical Methodology, Formation and Transformation Mechanism on Persistent Toxic Substances", involving the Hong Kong Baptist University's Professor Cai Zongwei; "Stochastic Models and Performance Optimization for Resource Management in Computer Networks", involving the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's Professor Li Bo; and "Numerical study of Behavior-based Spatial-temporal Features of Urban Traffic Flow Distribution", involving the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's Professor Yang Hai and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Professor Lam Hing-keung.

     In addition, "Software Technology, Platforms, and Internetware", a project involving the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's Professor Cheung Sing-chi, received a second-class State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (SSTPA).

     Organised by the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the SSTAs are highly prestigious awards in the Mainland's science and technology fields. The awards aim to recognise citizens and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to scientific and technological progress. There are five categories of SSTAs. In addition to the STIA, SNSA and SSTPA, there are also the State Pre-eminent Science and Technology Award and the International Scientific and Technological Co-operation Award of the People's Republic of China.

     The HKSAR Government was invited by the NOSTA to co-ordinate and submit nominations from Hong Kong for the categories of STIA, SNSA and SSTPA. The Innovation and Technology Commission is responsible for STIA and SSTPA nominations in Hong Kong, while local nominations for the SNSA are co-ordinated by the Education Bureau with the help of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council and the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre.

Ends/Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:17

NNNN

Photo Photo
Print this page