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RGC commends outstanding research academics in Hong Kong and holds inauguration ceremony of Hong Kong Research Grants Council Research Fellow Alliance

The Research Grants Council (RGC) today (November 3) held an award presentation ceremony to honour 98 academics from the eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities for their distinguished research achievements and significant contributions to the higher education sector.

Selected through a rigorous process by the RGC, the awardees included:

  • 9 RGC Senior Research Fellows;
  • 11 RGC Research Fellows;
  • 10 Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellows;
  • 8 Early Career Awardees; and
  • 60 RGC Junior Research Fellows (previously known as RGC Postdoctoral Fellows).

The same occasion also marked the inauguration of The Hong Kong Research Grants Council Research Fellow Alliance (HKRFA), to promote greater impact of Hong Kong researchers and further advance research excellence.

Officiating at the ceremony, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said that Hong Kong is the ideal place to pursue research careers and aspirations. In addition to accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, the Chief Executive has announced in the 2025 Policy Address an increase in the over-enrolment ceiling of UGC-funded research postgraduate programmes from 100 per cent to 120 per cent in the 2026/27 academic year. Dr Choi also welcomed the RGC's first Research Summit in December and the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition next year. The two major international events hosted by Hong Kong will create synergies for Hong Kong's research community and higher education sector.

"The Government will continue its efforts to promote the 'Study in Hong Kong' brand, and fully support the local universities to host more international events and attract more world-class scholars and students from around the world to our city to pursue their study and research. In doing so, we are determined to build Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent and strengthen the city’s research capabilities," Dr Choi added.

Also officiating at the ceremony, the RGC Chairman, Professor Timothy W. Tong, congratulated the awardees for their distinguished accomplishments and celebrated the establishment of the HKRFA. He indicated that the RGC's different fellowships have been established to support scholars and researchers at every stage of their academic trajectory.

"Cultivating a pipeline of emerging research talent is essential for a robust research culture and vigorous academic environment in Hong Kong. They are key to sustaining long-term advances in Hong Kong's research and development ecosystem. The RGC seeks to furnish the local research community with strong support, enabling them to sustain and elevate their outstanding scholarly endeavours," he said.

The list of awardees is in the Annex. Relevant award citations are available on the RGC website (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/events/).

 

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The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, delivers a speech at the award presentation ceremony and the inauguration of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council Research Fellow Alliance held by the Research Grants Council today (November 3).


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The Chairman of the Research Grants Council (RGC), Professor Timothy W. Tong, delivers welcoming remarks at the award presentation ceremony and the inauguration of The Hong Kong Research Grants Council Research Fellow Alliance held by the RGC today (November 3).


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The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (fourth left), the Chairman of Research Grants Council (RGC), Professor Timothy W. Tong (third left), and the Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee, Professor James Tang (third right), today (November 3) celebrate the inauguration of The Hong Kong Research Grants Council Research Fellow Alliance (HKRFA) with its first Executive Committee, including the Chairperson of the HKRFA, Professor Alice Wong (fourth right), the Vice-Chairperson of the HKRFA, Professor Huang Yu (second right), the Honorary Secretary of the HKRFA, Professor Christy Cheung (first right), with members of the Executive Committee Professor Edward Chan (second left) and Professor Vic Law (first left).


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The Research Grants Council today (November 3) held a ceremony to honour 98 academics from the eight University Grants Committee-funded universities for their distinguished research achievements and significant contribution to the higher education sector and to celebrate the establishment of The Hong Kong Research Grants Council Research Fellow Alliance. Photo shows all attendees of the ceremony.

 

Annex

List of Awardees

RGC Senior Research Fellow Scheme

Awardee University
Prof Julien Laurent CHAISSE City University of Hong Kong
Prof Shih-chi CHEN The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Lai Kwan PANG The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Lei SUN The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Prof Kay Chen TAN The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Prof Jun WANG Hong Kong Baptist University
Prof Guoliang XING The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Hin Lap YIP City University of Hong Kong
Prof Jianzhen YU The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

 

RGC Research Fellow Scheme

Awardee University
Prof Zhiyi HUANG The University of Hong Kong
Prof Yan JI The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Prof Man Chun LI The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Maggie Haitian WANG The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Shiqi WANG City University of Hong Kong
Prof Binzheng ZHANG The University of Hong Kong
Prof Renyu ZHANG The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Zhiwen ZHANG The University of Hong Kong
Prof Jiong ZHAO The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Prof Renjie ZHOU The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Zonglong ZHU City University of Hong Kong

 

Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship Scheme

Awardee University
Prof Damien CHARRIERAS City University of Hong Kong
Prof William HAYWARD Lingnan University
Prof Alex Jingwei HE The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Prof Shenjing HE The University of Hong Kong
Prof Da JIANG The Education University of Hong Kong
Prof Jyh An LEE The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Lisa Yuk-ming LEUNG Lingnan University
Prof Jessica Chi Mei LI The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Prof Lauren Yu-hsin LIN City University of Hong Kong
Prof Peggy Pik-ki MOK The Chinese University of Hong Kong

 

Early Career Award

Awardee University
Prof Kun DAI The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Caitlin Elizabeth KARYADI The University of Hong Kong
Prof Panpan REN City University of Hong Kong
Prof Wen SU City University of Hong Kong
Prof Cindy Guanyu TANG The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Prof Tim Shao-hung TENG The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Shipeng ZHANG The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Prof Xiang ZHANG The Chinese University of Hong Kong

 

RGC Junior Research Fellow Scheme

Awardee University
Dr Sopuruchi Christian ABOH The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr Rowan James ALCOCK The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr Alfred AMRUTH The University of Hong Kong
Dr Jiaxin BAI The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Dr Huanyu BAO City University of Hong Kong
Dr Chunyan CAO The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr Kwun-nam CHAN The University of Hong Kong
Dr Mian CHEN The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Dr Carolyn Amanda COHEN The University of Hong Kong
Dr Jiahui DUAN The University of Hong Kong
Dr Hanke FENG City University of Hong Kong
Dr Kai GUO The University of Hong Kong
Dr Huiling HONG The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr Pengnan HU The Education University of Hong Kong
Dr Zhikai HU Hong Kong Baptist University
Dr Ruochen JIANG The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Dr Taeho KIM The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Dr Shun LAN The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr Changchao LI The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr Jian LI City University of Hong Kong
Dr Kwan Tung LI Hong Kong Baptist University
Dr Xin LI City University of Hong Kong
Dr Zijian LI City University of Hong Kong
Dr Jingjing LIU Hong Kong Baptist University
Dr Shiyuan LIU The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Dr Hongyu LU The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr Qi LU The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr Liang MEI City University of Hong Kong
Dr Royce Hong Sheng NG Hong Kong Baptist University
Dr Fangyuan PENG The University of Hong Kong
Dr Rui PENG The University of Hong Kong
Dr Zehua PENG The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr Maeva PEREZ Hong Kong Baptist University
Dr REV MADIPOLA WIMALAJOTHI THERO The University of Hong Kong
Dr Sergio SAMMARCHI Lingnan University
Dr Xinmiao SONG Lingnan University
Dr Yuning SUN Lingnan University
Dr Chong WANG The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr Dandan WANG Hong Kong Baptist University
Dr Huan WANG City University of Hong Kong
Dr Qi WANG City University of Hong Kong
Dr Xuchuang WANG The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr Xulong WANG Hong Kong Baptist University
Dr Ye WANG The Education University of Hong Kong
Dr Yuhao WANG The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Dr Chloe Emma Ruth WEBSTER Lingnan University
Dr Zixian WEI The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr Junfu WONG The University of Hong Kong
Dr Miu Yin WONG The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr Jing XIE The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr Cheuk Lam YEUNG The Education University of Hong Kong
Dr Tsz-kit YIM The University of Hong Kong
Dr Li ZHAI City University of Hong Kong
Dr Chengping ZHANG The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Dr Ruixiaoxiao ZHANG The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr Bao ZHAO The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr Kai ZHAO The University of Hong Kong
Dr Zhiling ZHOU City University of Hong Kong
Dr Zhaohua ZHU The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr Shiyu ZHUANG City University of Hong Kong