The Council of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum (the Council) held a ceremony today (May 14) at Government House Ballroom to celebrate the launch of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, attended the ceremony as the Guest of Honour.
 
     The Forum aspires to be a world-class academic exchange event to connect the current and next generations of scientific leaders, and to promote understanding and interests among the young generation in Hong Kong and around the world in science and technology. The inaugural Forum will be held in November 2021 in Hong Kong and applications to attend the Forum are expected to start in 2020.
 
     The Forum aims to inspire young scientists from around the world through participation in a week-long programme comprising world-class seminars, dialogues, workshops and more. The Forum will also provide ample opportunities for exchanges between Shaw laureates and young scientists.
 
     In his welcoming remarks, the Chairman of the Council, Professor Timothy W Tong, said that the Council was determined to make the Forum an international platform to foster cross-cultural scientific dialogue that will contribute to furthering the understanding of science and enriching humanity.
 
     Mrs Lam said innovation and technology has topped her Government's policy agenda since she took office on July 1, 2017.
 
     "If Hong Kong is to realise the compelling promise of innovation and technology, we must ensure a sustainable flow of talent by providing and promoting science and technology education in our schools at every level, from primary and secondary through to our post-secondary institutions and technical colleges," said Mrs Lam.
 
     Mrs Lam pointed out that the Hong Kong Laureate Forum could build an interest and enthusiasm for science among the younger generation by creating opportunities for direct exchange and inspiring dialogue with some of the brightest minds in science.
 
     At the launch ceremony, Professor Tong signed a sponsorship agreement with the Director of Lee Shau Kee Foundation, Mr Martin Lee. The Lee Shau Kee Foundation is the Forum's principal sponsor, and has pledged full sponsorship to the Forum for five years, starting in 2019. Professor Tong also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Shaw Prize Foundation Chairman, Mr Raymond Chan, to foster collaboration and exchanges among laureates of the Shaw Prize and young scientists from Hong Kong and all over the world. The two signing ceremonies were witnessed by the Chief Executive.
 
     Four Shaw laureates, namely Professor Steven A Balbus, Professor John F Hawley, Professor E Peter Greenberg, and Professor Simon D M White attended the ceremony to pledge their support, as well as sharing their scientific experience and insights at a panel discussion.
 
     Over 150 guests including the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, members of the Executive Council and Legislative Council, council chairmen and presidents of universities, academics, scientists, senior members of research institutions, consuls general and nearly 60 young scientists, attended the ceremony.
 
     While the Forum was conceived by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, it will be organised by the Council formed by distinguished personalities and academics of Hong Kong. The Council is a non-profit making organisation. Its membership is as follows:
 
Chairman
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Professor Timothy W Tong
 
Members
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Mr Raymond Chan (representing the Shaw Prize Foundation)
Dr Moses Cheng
Mrs Rita Fan
Mr Henry Fan
Dr Victor Fung
Dr Colin Lam (representing the Lee Shau Kee Foundation)
Mr Martin Lee (representing the Lee Shau Kee Foundation)
Mr Carlson Tong
Professor Tsui Lap-chee
Mr Joseph Yam
Professor Kenneth Young
 
     The Council has invited Dr Kan Tai-keung, an acclaimed local designer, to design the Forum logo. The three spheres of the logo symbolise the diversity and broad horizon of science, while the three arcs represent the forces of science while also resembling the shape of a laurel wreath, symbolising eminent Hong Kong scientists in discussion with young scientists, thereby creating an continuous drive to pursue science. 
 
     For details about the Forum, please visit its website at (hklaureateforum.org/en/). The Chief Executive's blog of April 22 also gives an account of the launch of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum.

Ends/Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Issued at HKT 19:32

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