Hong Kong’s ambitions to change into a world innovation hub depend on continued support for universities and researchers, a gathering of the world’s most promising up-and-coming scientists has heard.
Calls for funding in science dominated the 2025 Hong Kong Laureate Forum, a four-day gathering that brings collectively 12 winners of the Shaw Prize – described because the “Nobel of the East” – and greater than 200 distinctive younger scientists from over 20 international locations and areas.
Opening the occasion on the Hong Kong Science Park, Chan Kwok-ki, chief secretary for administration of the federal government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, outlined the realm’s ambitions in analysis and growth.
“We are establishing a complicated [information and technology] system, integrating three main I&T parks and 5 key analysis institutes.
“We’re doing so below the precept of selling know-how with expertise, main industries with know-how and attracting expertise with industries.
“The goal is to grow our talent pool, boost innovation and support our country’s science and technology development.”
He added that “talent drives technology” and pointed to a collection of presidency insurance policies designed to draw researchers.
“Hong Kong ranked first in Asia and fourth in the world in this year’s world talent ranking, and we topped the world in the graduates in science category,” he stated.
“In September, we launched the HK$3 billion (£295 million) Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme…to help our publicly funded universities recruit top scientists and researchers to Hong Kong and to build the facilities they need to conduct breakthrough research.”
Timothy Tong, chairman of the forum council, stated the occasion’s objective was to attach scientific generations and present why long-term help mattered.
“This is a special gathering centred on nurturing future generations of scientists,” he stated.
“Through connecting scientists across generations, cultures and disciplines…we aim to cultivate curiosity and ignite passion for science among the younger generations both in Hong Kong and in the international community.”
Hong Kong’s universities have recently faced tighter finances and uncertain budgets, with a number of establishments being pressured to attract on their reserves as public funding tightens.
Peter Chan of the Shaw Prize Foundation stated the forum’s mannequin confirmed how funding and mentorship may form discovery.
“If the Shaw Prize represents one summit of success, then this Hong Kong Laureate Forum can be seen as a base camp – a platform from which the next great expeditions to scientific discovery embark,” he stated. “The forum ensures this torch is passed to capable hands.”
Among the scientists attending was Wolfgang Baumeister, the 2025 laureate in life science and drugs, who described how funding in superior imaging had reworked molecular biology.
“The power of this technology is transforming our understanding of normal life processes and how they go awry in disease,” he stated, discussing his work in cryogenic electron tomography.
Many audio system returned to the identical message, that ambition requires sources.
Tong stated the forum ought to “inspire, challenge and connect” younger scientists, however that success relied on sustained help from authorities, trade and philanthropy.
Chan linked Hong Kong’s scientific aspirations to its wider id.
“Our city is also a rising East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange,” he stated. “The good life is all around you. Enjoy it all.”