The Hong Kong Future Science Prize Foundation today announced the laureates of this year's Future Science Prize for Life Science, Physical Science, and Mathematics and Computer Science at a live-streamed press conference between Beijing and Hong Kong. A total of 4 outstanding scientists will be honoured, including Hong-Kui DENG for the Life Science Prize, Tao ZHANG and Ya-Dong LI for the Physical Science Prize, and Bin-Yong SUN for the Mathematics and Computer Science Prize. (Please refer to the attachment for details of the laureates).

 

Professor Dong SUN, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, attended the press conference and delivered a speech in support of the Prize.

 

Professor Chi-Wang SHU, Chairman of the 2024 Science Committee of the Future Science Prize, said at the press conference that over the past eight years, 35 outstanding scientists have been awarded the Future Science Prize for their outstanding scientific contributions. This year’s four laureates  have also been highly recognised by their international peers for their research work, and one of them has received 17 international peer review letters from prestigious universities in the Americas, Europe and Asia in recognition of his research achievements. Professor SHU hopes that the laureates' contributions will be as vast as the Milky Way, illuminating every corner of the halls of science.

 

Professor Vivian Wing-Wah YAM, Co-Chairman of the 2024 Future Science Prize Week Programme Committee and Founding Member of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, congratulated this year’s laureates. She emphasised the strong support and encouragement that the Prize provides to scientists contributing to the development of science, and hopes that more young people will pursue careers in this field. Professor Yam also highlighted the significance of hosting the Future Science Prize Week in Hong Kong for the second consecutive year, reflecting the city’s role in strengthening the scientific research capability and influence of the Greater China region. The event also underscores the importance of science and technology in advancing social progress and prosperity, as well as its role in enhancing science education for people from all walks of life. The event is expected to have a positive impact on the development of science and technology in Hong Kong and the Greater China region.

 

Ms Nisa LEUNG, Rotating Chairman of the 2024 Future Forum, said in her speech that technological innovation is the primary driving force of social progress, and young people are the future of our country as well as scientific and technological innovation. This year’s Prize events emphasise science popularisation education, and, as always, activities will be open to the public, both on-site and online. The organisers aim to encourage more young people to take an interest in the scientific development of the country and the world, and to contribute their intelligence and youthful energy to the realisation of the national strategy for innovation-driven development.

 

After the announcement of this year’s Prize results, a series of science events will be launched in Beijing and Hong Kong. The Future Science Prize Week will take place from 30 October to 3 November 2024, bringing renowned scientists and industry experts from around the world to Hong Kong under the theme “Shining A Light On the Future of Science”. During the Prize Week, Science and Technology Forum and 2024 Asian Young Scientist Fellowship Annual Conference will be held on 30 and 31 October, respectively. A two-day Science Symposium will be organised from 1 to 2 November. The Future Science Prize Laureate Dialogue with the Youth and the 2024 Future Science Prize Award Ceremony will take place on the same day, 3 November.  A number of renowned scientists will participate, including Professor Benjamin List, the 2021 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, awardee of the Fields Medal, Professor Efim Zelmanov, and the recipient of the Wolf Prize, Professor Peter Zoller, etc.