The hongkong prize aims to encourage students to explore their interests in scientific research and fulfil their potential. Founded in 2004, the biennial competition is supported by Hang Lung Properties and HKUST to promote excellence and passion for mathematics and science and showcase Hong Kong students on the global stage.
This year, the HK Prize attracted an impressive pool of entries from across Hong Kong and Mainland China, with teams of high school and university students participating in the competition. They were required to choose a topic for their research, design and conduct a research project, and submit their research report to the judges after going through a rigorous review process. The shortlisted teams received medals, trophies and a fixed amount of merit prize money, which was shared equally among their members by their schools.
The winners were presented their awards during the 2023 HLMA awards ceremony, with The Hon John KC LEE, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officiating via video conference. Adriel CHAN, Vice Chairman of Hang Lung Properties, also moderated a stimulating Fireside Chat with Dr Owen H. KO, 2004 HLMA winner and Assistant Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Ms Ewina PUN, 2012 HLMA winner and doctoral candidate at Brown University, who discussed their life journeys in research and their unique perspectives on the power of scientific innovation.
In 2024, the HK Prize attracted over 240 applications from more than 50 universities and high schools, and the quality of submissions was exceptionally high. The judging panel comprises a team of experts from the academic, business and professional communities who conducted a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process. The winning research proposals were selected for their originality and practicality, and for the innovative approaches and insights that they would bring to their respective fields of study and society at large.
The winner of the 2024 HK Prize, Prof Fan Zhiguo, from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, won a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury for her research on therapeutic targets for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The award-winning work will enable the development of newer and more effective AD therapies.
Hong Kong’s cash incentives for athletes competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics have been increased by 20 percent, enabling gold medalists to receive up to HK$6 million. The announcement was made by Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki at the flag-raising ceremony for local athletes at the Hong Kong Jockey Club headquarters on Tuesday.
HK Prize is open to Hong Kong-based researchers who have been awarded Academy Fellowship in the past 10 years, and are engaged in clinical practice or research of relevance to clinical care in any area of medicine. Research must be completed in Hong Kong or at research-related institutions set up by Hong Kong higher education institutions and located in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The winning proposals will be selected through a rigorous and fair assessment procedure, and the results will be announced at the end of each calendar year.
