In a first for the University and Hong Kong, HKU alumna Dr Lai Ka-ying was selected to join the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission as a payload specialist, marking a new chapter of participation by Hong Kong’s scientific community in the national space programmes.
HKU Chair of Laser Physics Professor Ferenc Krausz has been elected as an International Member of the US National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his outstanding contributions to ultrafast laser science and attosecond physics.
Professor Jiawei Zhou in the HKU Department of Mechanical Engineering has been honoured with the 2026 Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award for his groundbreaking research in thermal management.
HKU received 46 awards at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, as it continues to build its reputation for outstanding research and innovation excellence that makes a meaningful impact on society.
HKU has secured the top spot in the recently released QS Asia University Rankings 2026 among over 1,500 academic institutions, reaffirming its sustained leadership across Asia’s higher education landscape.
HKU Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Max Shen has been elected as an International Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the fields of AI and supply chain optimisation.
Professor Michael Häusser from the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine and Professor Xuhua He from the Faculty of Science were elected to the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences for their significant contributions to scientific research.
Professor Nicholas Xuanlai Fang of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and HKU President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Xiang Zhang have received the 2025 Brillouin Medal from the International Phononics Society for their ultrasonic metamaterials research.
Professor Kaibin Huang of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering was presented with the Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2026 for his outstanding scientific research achievements.
