HONG KONG, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) recently hosted an inspiring dialogue that featured three esteemed Nobel Prize winners, attracting close to 200 students, faculty members, and guests to its campus. In addition, the event reached a wider audience, with around 2,000 viewers tuning in online from sister institutions throughout Mainland China. This gathering not only showcased HKUST's commitment to fostering cross-disciplinary innovation but also aimed to bridge the local scientific community with influential global thought leaders.

Part of the Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference and Xiang Jiang Nobel Forum of this year, the event titled "Together with the Scientists Nobel Laureates Visit HKUST" took place on April 14. It was organized in collaboration with the Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities, further emphasizing the institutional networking that HKUST promotes.

The program offered a platform for the Nobel laureates to share their groundbreaking insights and experiences. The three distinguished winners included:

• Prof. May-Britt MOSER, who won the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her significant discoveries related to grid cells in the brain's spatial navigation system, fundamentally enhancing our understanding of how we navigate our environment.
• Prof. Konstantin NOVOSELOV, the 2010 Nobel Prize recipient in Physics, recognized for his pioneering research on graphene and two-dimensional materials, which has opened up endless possibilities in various scientific and technological fields.
• Prof. Didier QUELOZ, who received the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics for his landmark discovery of the first exoplanet orbiting a sun-like star, marking a significant milestone in the search for extraterrestrial life.

Throughout the event, the laureates shared their remarkable scientific journeys and emphasized the vital role of curiosity-driven research in fostering innovation. Their reflections also included visions for future breakthroughs that could reshape our understanding of the universe and improve life on Earth.

In her opening remarks, HKUST President Prof. Nancy Ip extended a warm welcome to all attendees, expressing her gratitude to the event organizers and supporting organizations. "Today's event is not merely an opportunity to meet esteemed scientists, but also a chance to engage with the very essence of scientific inquiry and discovery. Since its founding, HKUST has been committed to fostering innovation, research, and knowledge transfer. Our Nobel Laureates exemplify the spirit of curiosity, creativity, and resilience that we strive to nurture at HKUST. I hope their journeys will inspire us to push boundaries and collaborate across disciplines and borders to advance knowledge for the betterment of society," she stated.

The event also featured an engaging Q&A session, allowing students and researchers to interact directly with the laureates. Moderated by Prof. Angela WU from the Division of Life Science at HKUST, this session sparked discussions on a diverse array of topics ranging from materials science and neuroscience to astrophysics, creating an enriching environment for knowledge exchange.

This gathering is a testament to HKUST's longstanding tradition of convening global leaders in various scientific fields, promoting knowledge exchange, nurturing talent, and addressing pressing challenges through cutting-edge research. Just last November, HKUST organized a prestigious three-day "Molecular Frontiers Symposium," which showcased a lineup of internationally renowned scientists, including four Nobel laureates, with the aim of sparking dialogues that inspire a new generation of innovators.

For those interested, photos from the event can be downloaded here:

Aaliyah Carter