The HKBU Graduate School held the third Madam Kwok Chung Bo Fun PhD Student Research Excellence Awards Presentation Ceremony on 17 October 2024. The event was officiated by Mr. Raymond Kwok, representative of the Kwok Chung Bo Fun Charitable Fund (the Fund), and Professor Alex Wai, JP, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, to recognise seven PhD students who have demonstrated outstanding academic and research achievements.

In his remarks, Mr. Raymond Kwok stated that since 2011, his family has consistently supported various meaningful initiatives at HKBU through the Fund, commending the University for its commitment to Whole Person Education grounded in Christian heritage. He encouraged all PhD students to excel on a personal level, aim for higher goals, and let their achievements transform and transcend their professional fields, thereby making a significant and sustainable impact for the betterment of society.

Professor Alex Wai expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Kwok family and the Fund for establishing the Madam Kwok Chung Bo Fun Student Research Excellence Awards scheme, which has been a driving force behind the students’ continued innovations and breakthroughs in research since its launch in 2022. Their steadfast support has laid a critical foundation for the University’s success in the pursuit of educational and research excellence.

This year’s awardees included:

• Champion: Mr. Huang Chunhua, School of Chinese Medicine
• 1st runner-up: Mr. Wang Xulong, Faculty of Science
• 2nd runner-up: Ms. Ishanka Harshani Kusum Peiris Dehiwala Liyanage, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences 
• 3rd runner-up:
  Mr. Bu Luofan, School of Business
  Mr. Timothy Pattinson, School of Creative Arts
  Ms. Wang Hanjing, School of Communication
  Mr. Xiang Yang, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  (in alphabetical order of their surnames)

Other HKBU representatives attending the ceremony included Professor Liu Jiming, Associate Vice-President (Research Development); Professor Daniel Lai, Dean of Arts and Social Sciences cum Fung Hon Chu Endowed Professor in Humanics; Professor Michael Ng, Dean of Science cum Dr. Elizabeth K.S. Law Endowed Professor in Data Science; Professor Andreas Kratky, Director of the Academy of Visual Arts; Dr. Eugene Birman, Acting Director of the Academy of Music; Dr. Cheung King Ho, Executive Associate Dean of the Graduate School cum Vincent V.C. Woo Endowed Associate Professor in Chinese Medicine; Professor Byron Choi, Associate Head (Teaching and Learning) of the Department of Computer Science; Professor Wei Ran, Associate Dean (Research and Development) and Chair Professor of the School of Communication; Dr. Zhang Fang, Associate Professor of Accounting at the School of Business; and Mrs. Lily Chan, Director of University Advancement and Secretary-General of the HKBU Foundation.