24/02/2006
HKUST Launches Nansha Science & Technology Forum
The Nansha Science and Technology Forum opened today (24 February) at the Nansha Information Technology (IT) Park in Guangzhou. Internationally renowned experts and academics are gathering at this high-level forum to explore key science and technology issues of major relevance to the social and economic development of the region.
Co-organized by the Fok Ying Tung Foundation, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Guangzhou Science and Technology Bureau, the Forum is supported by the Ming Yuan Development Company Limited and China Nansha Technology Enterprises Ltd.
From left: Chen Mingde, Guangzhou Vice Mayor, Prof Otto Lin and Prof Roland Chin The theme of the Forum's first session is "Information
Technology: Digital Life". Prof Roland Chin, Co-Chairman of the Forum and Vice-President for Research and Development at HKUST, said: "Information and computer technologies have changed everyday life. The development of seamless digital life is now the leading trend. To meet future challenges, we have to improve R&D, to innovate, and to create intellectual property.
"Nansha IT Park is the ideal place to host this Forum. It is growing as a vital education and R&D center where, in September 2008, HKUST will open a new graduate school campus to contribute to the technological development of the region," he added.
Honorary guest speakers for the first two-day session include Prof Song-De Ma, Vice Minister of Science and Technology; Dr Ya-Qin Zhang, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Corporation; Prof Xiaolan Luo, Director of the Computer Applications Institute of Sun Yat-sen University; Prof Ke Gong, Vice President of Tsinghua University; and Prof Lionel Ni, Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science at HKUST.
Prof Song-De Ma is an expert in advanced automation and artificial intelligence and a former Director of the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr Ya-Qin Zhang, the former Managing Director and Chief Scientist of Microsoft Research Asia, has research interests in wireless and satellite communications, networking, and multimedia technology, and holds over 70 US patents. In 1997, he became the youngest-ever Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He also serves as adviser to several Chinese and US government agencies, including the US National Science Foundation.
Dr Ya-Qin Zhang Prof Otto Lin, Co-Chairman of the Forum and Chief Executive
Officer of China Nansha Technology Enterprises Ltd, said: "The goal of this Forum is to identify key science and
technology issues and explore the opportunities they offer. We aim to make recommendations to government, industry, institutes, and universities on how to fully develop these opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta."
Prof Tsung-Dao Lee, 1957 Nobel Laureate in Physics, is the Honorary Chairman of the Forum. A renowned scientist in advanced physics and University Professor at Columbia University, Prof Lee has played a pivotal leadership role in the establishment of research in advanced physics and in nurturing young Chinese physicists.
Approximately 500 senior government officials, business
leaders, academics, senior professionals in related fields, and undergraduate and postgraduate students will participate in the Forum, which will also be broadcast to 10 major universities in China via the web-cast system developed and supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (the '863' Program). The second day of the Digital Life Forum will feature panel discussions where guest speakers will exchange ideas with their audiences on the key issues.
The Nansha Science and Technology Forum is scheduled to span two years and consists of 10 sessions covering: information technology, energy, healthcare, the environment, globalization, materials, manufacturing, business, natural disasters, and population.
The second session of the Forum, to be held in May, will explore "Energy: Energy Alternatives."
The Nansha IT Park is a collaborative project between the Fok Ying Tung Foundation, the Guangzhou Government and HKUST. Its mission is to foster high-technology industries to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta. Phase One of the Park was completed in 2002.
Nansha IT Park
Vicki Wong Tel: 2358-6317 Email: wongpy@ust.hk
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