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Scientific talent in Hong Kong has been well recognised with two second-class awards conferred on local researchers under the 2007 State Science and Technology Awards (SSTAs) announced today (January 8).
The recipients of the two second-class SSTAs--the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (SSTPA) and the State Natural Science Award (SNSA)--were among the awardees announced by the National Office for Science and Technology Awards at the presentation ceremony in Beijing.
"We congratulate the awardees on their achievements and encourage them to keep up their good work," a Government spokesman said.
More than 600 entries competed for the 2007 SSTPA which is conferred on people working in science and technology and who have made outstanding contributions in the implementation of technology development projects and public welfare projects.
The SSTPA second-class award was conferred on the project entitled "Innovative non-surgical treatments of peptic ulcer bleeding", carried out by Professor Joseph Sung Jao-yiu, Professor James Lau Yun-wong, Professor Francis Chan Ka-leung, Professor Enders Ng Kwok-wai, Associate Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan and Honorary Clinical Associate Professor Lee Yuk-tong of the Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and former Dean of Medicine of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Sydney Chung Sheung-chee.
The research work of the team led by Professor Sung has led to major advancements and new medical standards in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease which is a major threat to human health. With the development of novel non-surgical treatment of ulcer bleeding and pioneering the use of anti-bacterial treatment in curing peptic ulcers without acid suppression, the peptic ulcer bleeding mortality rate has dropped from 10% to 4.4% over the past two decades and the need for surgery, blood transfusion and hospital stay, as well as ulcer occurrence and relapse, have been reduced.
The 2007 SNSA second-class award was conferred on Professor Zhang Tong-yi and Professor Tong Pin of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Gao Cun-fa of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Professor Zhao Ming-hao of Zhengzhou University.
The project, entitled "Fracture of piezoelectric materials", is funded by the Research Grants Council. It is a study of fracture mechanics of solids, focusing on fracture of piezoelectric ceramics. The emphasis was to place fracture mechanics for piezoelectric materials on a sound and rational physical foundation, to gain insights into the failure mechanisms of piezoelectric ceramics under mechanical and/or electrical loading, and to establish the failure criteria. The research outcomes are highly cited and have attracted attention from peers around the world.
The Government spokesman said the awards fully reflected the professional ability of local scientists.
"The outstanding results demonstrate Hong Kong's strengths and capabilities in both basic and applied research and development (R&D). It also further affirms the efforts by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in promoting innovation and technology. Their achievements will encourage the local R&D community and help stimulate our younger generation's interest in pursuing science and technology," he said.
Organised by the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the SSTAs are highly prestigious awards in the science and technology fields on the Mainland. They aim to reward citizens and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to scientific and technological progress. There are five categories for SSTAs. As well as SSTPA and SNSA, there are the State Technological Invention Award (STIA); 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 has been invited by the National Office for Science and Technology Awards to co-ordinate and submit nominations from the HKSAR for the categories of STIA, SSTPA and SNSA. The Innovation and Technology Commission is responsible for the nomination of the STIA and SSTPA in Hong Kong. The nomination of the SNSA in HKSAR is co-ordinated by the Education Bureau with the help of the Research Grants Council and the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre.
Ends/Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:11
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