In addition to honoring this year’s top winners of its award, the Hong Kong Prize provides an important platform for community discussions on Hong Kong’s role in international development. Applicants have an opportunity to submit proposals that could potentially qualify for funding consideration and present them directly to key figures within Hong Kong’s development sector.
This prize, established by the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation and sponsored by BOCHK in 2022, recognizes scientific researchers’ outstanding achievements in furthering Hong Kong and serving its residents through cutting-edge research work. The goal is to attract top global science talent while developing forward-looking scientists. Laureates are chosen by renowned scholars and experts both locally and overseas based upon both scientific research itself as well as its practical applications into daily life.
This year’s competition was one of the largest ever, attracting over 200 submissions. Winning entries included innovative solutions to issues facing Hong Kong and the world in areas like health, education, food security, and environmental sustainability. Prof. Fan Shun-yan of HKU developed “Hong Kong – The World’s Leading City on the Path to Zero Carbon,” an ambitious proposal which seeks to achieve zero emissions by 2050 using various technical and policy measures such as an integrated public transport system and renewable energy sources.
BOCHK will select three winners in each category of the HK Prize and present them with certificates as well as funds of up to HK$100 million to support their research and development work, which should have a significant positive effect on lives across Hong Kong, mainland China and internationally.
Alongside cash prizes, Hong Kong will offer its finalists the unique opportunity to meet with international leaders from the development and technology sectors during their stay there. They will be encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences with peers while also developing collaborative research projects together.
Judges for this award are all highly-acclaimed experts in their respective fields and winners will be announced during a ceremony to take place in April 2019. Individuals from any corner of the globe are welcome to submit entries, with winning entries must demonstrate strong regional and global perspectives while providing convincing vision of Hong Kong as an advocate of sustainable and smart development.
Judges for the Hong Kong Prize come from all walks of life and all share one characteristic in common: an enthusiasm for Hong Kong and commitment to social good. Their diverse backgrounds and knowledge make for an extraordinary team to judge this year’s competition; its result truly outstanding.