The hongkong prize is an award that recognizes people who embody humanity, so more will understand it and incorporate it into their daily lives. Previous winners have included social justice activists and volunteers who assist homeless individuals. Their work is reflected in the symbol of the award, which juxtaposes a pearl and a pierced jade amulet. Founded in 2007, the award has honored more than 90 individuals.
The award is a collaboration between the Bank of China and the City University of Hong Kong. It focuses on five fields: artificial intelligence and robotics, life and health, new materials and energy, advanced manufacturing and FinTech. Scientists who win the hongkong prize are given a monetary award and access to Hong Kong’s premier research facilities. They also have the opportunity to collaborate with scientists from around the world and learn about cutting-edge scientific research in a city that has produced Nobel laureates.
In addition to the monetary prizes, HK Prize winners can gain international exposure for their work and network with fellow scientists at a global forum. The Laureate Forum also helps young scientists and students to find the right mentors. It is hoped that the HK Prize will inspire more people to become entrepreneurs in science and make a positive difference to society.
Moreover, the winner’s prize money includes an internship at a local company or university, and the right to use their name as an official sponsor of HK Prize in advertising and promotional activities. The winning team will also be invited to the prestigious annual awards ceremony in Hong Kong. The finalists are chosen by a panel of judges from various sectors.
Each year, the Hong Kong Prize attracts thousands of applications from all over the world. The prize committee selects scientific researchers who have made outstanding contributions to their field of study and who are committed to transforming the outcomes of their research into benefits for humankind. Applicants are judged by a panel of experts from different sectors of the economy and academia.
The prize was created in memory of Professor Wang Gungwu, a former Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong and an internationally recognised historian. The prize was established with the remainder of a loan fund he set up during his term as VP to help students with the cost of studying history.
This year’s competition drew over 70 teams from Hong Kong secondary schools. Each team of two to four students chose a mathematics topic, designed and conducted research under the guidance of their teachers and then submitted a research report. The judges were impressed by the innovative ideas of the participating students, including 6B LIN Wing-yan for the first prize, and 5C YIM Yin-chun, WAN Hau-ming, and 4A SO Fung-chi for the second prize. They received a certificate of appreciation and a book coupon. In addition, the top three runner-ups of each class were awarded a book coupon and a trophy. The winners are pictured below.