CUHK Press Releases

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:00 UTC CUHK Faculty of Engineering nurtures next-gen innovation and technology pioneers to engineer smart, sustainable urban solutions The 7th Green Innovation Competition attracted over 500 students to tackle environmental challenges using STEAM

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:00 UTC

The Centre for Innovation and Technology (CINTEC) at the Faculty of Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), successfully hosted the finals and award presentation ceremony of the 7th Green Innovation Competition. This year’s competition under the theme “Green Building for a Liveable City” attracted over 500 students in 103 teams from 80 local primary and secondary schools. These young innovators actively leveraged their STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) knowledge to conceptualise and design innovative and sustainable architectural solutions. By providing this competitive platform, CUHK is actively bridging classroom theory with the practical skills required to tackle accelerating global environmental challenges and collectively build a greener future.

Professor Darwin Lau Tat-ming, Associate Dean (Student Affairs) of the Faculty of Engineering and Acting Director of CINTEC at CUHK, said: “CINTEC is committed to promoting environmentally friendly concepts such as sustainable development and low-carbon emission reduction. We believe that combining environmental protection with innovative technology will help Hong Kong develop into a more liveable, smarter and sustainable city. This competition not only encourages students to continuously explore innovative solutions for energy conservation and emission reduction, but also drives the exploration and development of green technologies, propelling Hong Kong to become an international green technology hub.”

Bridging classroom creativity with industry-standard rigor

Divided into primary and secondary school categories, the competition comprehensively tested students’ innovation and technology capabilities. Participating teams were required to go through the complete engineering research and development process, from conceptualisation and design to production and repeated testing of their projects. In the preliminary round, each team submitted an introductory video and an engineering logbook, from which the judging panel selected the top ten teams in each category to advance to the finals. In the finals, teams presented their project to an expert panel of judges and the public during a timed presentation and Q&A session. This tested their understanding of their projects and their ability to respond on the spot, while enhancing their overall I&T literacy. An online voting session was also held for the public to vote for their favourite projects.

Outstanding youth breakthroughs

Competition was fierce this year. The championships in the secondary and primary school categories were awarded to Tung Chung Catholic School for its project “Smart Guide Duck” and Christian & Missionary Alliance Sun Kei Primary School for “Future Paper Build”, respectively. The online voting session also received an overwhelming response, recording the highest number of votes ever. The first prizes of the Most Popular Design Award went to Po Leung Kuk No.1 W.H. Cheung College for “Cloud Gazing – Dynamic Crowd-Sensing AI Energy Management System” and Christian &Missionary Alliance Sun Kei Primary School for their dual-winning “Future Paper Build”. For the full list of winners, please visit: www.cuhk-greenstem.com.

About the Green Technology Creative Competition

CUHK’s Green Technology Creative Competition is a collaborative effort uniting academia, government, and industry. The 7th Green Technology Creative Competition was funded by the Innovation and Technology Fund of Hong Kong SAR Government and generously sponsored by the Department of Engineering at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Lee Wai Lee), Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and Mitsubishi Electric (Hong Kong) Limited.

About CINTEC

The Centre for Innovation and Technology (CINTEC) at CUHK is dedicated to nurturing tech talent with a vision for sustainable development. By organising a wide range of competitions, workshops, visits, and professional talks, CINTEC actively enhances local students’ interest and capabilities in STEAM. This continuously injects new momentum into Hong Kong’s sustainable development, aiming to cultivate an outstanding, capable and forward-looking new generation of I&T talent.

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 UTC CUHK, Nansha District Government and Guangzhou First People’s Hospital establish the Greater Bay Area’s first international clinical trial centre

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 UTC

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK); the People’s Government of Nansha District, Guangzhou; and Guangzhou First People’s Hospital today (15 July) signed an agreement to establish the Greater Bay Area Clinical Trial Centre (Guangzhou Nansha), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, to advance cross-boundary clinical research collaboration and medical innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The Centre is expected to strengthen clinical research capabilities and healthcare quality across the region, and accelerate the development and adoption of innovative pharmaceuticals and medical technologies for the benefit of more patients. CUHK will continue to support national development strategies and the development of the GBA by leveraging its strengths in research, clinical services and education, fostering healthcare innovation and high-quality development, and contributing to the region’s emergence as an international hub for medical innovation.

The agreement was signed by Ms Ma Jiehong, Deputy District Mayor of Nansha District, Guangzhou; Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, CUHK (CU Medicine); and Professor Fu Yongshui, Party Secretary of Guangzhou First People’s Hospital. Witnessing the signing ceremony were Mr Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Professor John Chai Yat-chiu, Chairman of the CUHK Council; Professor Anthony Chan Tak-cheung, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK; Ms Agnes K.P. Tsang, Associate Vice-President of CUHK; Mr Liu Wei, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangzhou Municipal Committee and Secretary of the CPC Nansha District Committee; Mr Peng Chun, Full-time Vice Chairman, Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Health and Sports, Guangdong Provincial Committee of the CPPCC; and Mr Li Tiegang, Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Health Commission.

Professor Fu remarked: “The simultaneous inauguration of these two centres—the GBA Clinical Trial Centre (Guangzhou Nansha), CUHK and the GBA Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center—represents a key strategic initiative by the hospital in implementing the Nansha Plan and actively integrating into the development of the GBA. Through this important partnership with the Nansha District Government and CUHK, the hospital will leverage Nansha’s pioneering policy advantages, CUHK’s world-leading research capabilities and its own comprehensive clinical resources and national-level clinical trial platform to establish a premier hub for Guangzhou-Hong Kong cross-boundary clinical research collaboration.

“In addition, the launch of the GBA Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center will build on the Guangzhou-Hong Kong joint research platform, focusing on three core areas of innovation: exoskeleton robotics, personalised orthotics enabled by 3D printing and precision musculoskeletal regenerative therapies. These efforts will support the development of a leading precision rehabilitation brand within the GBA.”

Professor Chan expressed his sincere gratitude to the People’s Government of Nansha District, Guangzhou; and Guangzhou First People’s Hospital. He said: “Through the efforts of all three parties, the Centre will be an important platform to advance regional clinical research innovation. It will conduct research on pharmaceuticals and medical devices in accordance with national regulations and international standards; advance multicentre, cross-boundary and cross-regional collaboration; and provide a systematic platform for talent development and academic exchange. We look forward to translating research into impact, contributing to the nation’s high-quality development and safeguarding public health.”

Mr Liu said that, in line with the “Healthy GBA” initiative under the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Nansha has leveraged national policy advantages to deepen Guangzhou-Hong Kong healthcare collaboration through convenient measures such as the “Elderly Health Care Voucher” and the “Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect” schemes. The inauguration of the two major centres marks a significant milestone in healthcare integration between Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Nansha will advance the “Five-Port Linkage” strategy and develop the “Five Key Highlands”, focusing on three key fronts of deepening clinical innovation collaboration, utilising pioneering pilot policies to advance the alignment of healthcare regulations and standards, and facilitating the cross-boundary translation chain of medical innovations. Backed by a robust industrial foundation of more than 540 biopharmaceutical companies, Nansha will further deepen partnerships with Hong Kong’s top universities and healthcare institutions to build itself into a demonstration zone for deeper Guangzhou-Hong Kong healthcare integration.

Mr Leung added: “The development of the GBA is a major national strategy, and Guangzhou-Hong Kong collaboration in healthcare is an important measure to improve people’s livelihoods and wellbeing. The establishment of these centres exemplifies the powerful synergy arising from the complementary strengths of Guangzhou and Hong Kong. The centres will provide a platform in the Chinese Mainland for the translation of Hong Kong’s research outcomes, while injecting new impetus into healthcare development in Nansha.

“We look forward to the three parties deepening their cross-boundary collaboration, advancing internationalization and pioneering a gold standard for medical innovation in the GBA, contributing to the high-quality development of the nation’s healthcare sector.”

First-batch flagship studies: AI-powered scoliosis screening and stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis

The Centre’s inaugural study will externally validate a CUHK-developed AI algorithm for the screening of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using portable, radiation-free 3D surface topography. The technology enables automated, quantitative assessment of spinal deformities from back surface images, offering a safer and more accessible alternative to conventional X-ray screening. The team will validate the technology in real-world clinical settings in Nansha. The initiative aims to deliver a scalable, cost-effective, radiation-free screening model to improve adolescent spinal health by supporting early detection and intervention.

CUHK will also collaborate with Guangzhou First People’s Hospital Nansha Hospital to conduct a Phase I clinical trial of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for knee osteoarthritis. The study will explore the potential of regenerative medicine in treating this common degenerative joint disease among middle-aged and older people. MSC therapy involves injecting donor-derived mesenchymal stem cells into the affected joints to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and potentially repair damaged cartilage, offering a promising new treatment option.

A world-class, multifaceted clinical trial centre that complies with international standards

Located at Guangzhou First People’s Hospital Nansha Hospital, the GBA Clinical Research Centre (Guangzhou Nansha), CUHK will focus on high-impact areas of medical innovation and serve as a strategic platform for clinical research collaboration between Hong Kong and Guangzhou. The Centre will promote cross-boundary research, medical innovation, talent development and clinical trial advancement, while advancing mutual recognition of clinical data, referral collaboration and research translation between the two places. It will also attract local and international medtech enterprises to establish a presence in Nansha, promoting the two-way translation and commercialisation of medical innovations in Hong Kong and Nansha.

To enhance professional competencies and facilitate talent mobility across the GBA, the three parties will establish a systematic training and professional development framework, including the promotion of modern qualifications frameworks like clinical research certification and micro-credential systems. The Centre will also operate under a rigorous quality management and governance framework, with all collaborative clinical studies conducted in compliance with internationally recognised quality assurance standards to ensure patient safety and data integrity.

GBA Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center unveiled

Coinciding with the establishment of the Clinical Research Centre, the GBA Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center, jointly developed by Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, the Nansha District Health Bureau and CU Medicine, was also inaugurated on the same day. Focusing on musculoskeletal disorders, sports injuries and scoliosis, the Centre will introduce Hong Kong’s evidence-based rehabilitation management practices and internationally aligned clinical pathways to advance precision rehabilitation services, innovative research and professional training. Working in synergy with the Clinical Research Centre, it will further advance clinical research and research translation in musculoskeletal disorders and enhance rehabilitation services across the GBA.

Advancing a new chapter in Guangzhou-Hong Kong healthcare collaboration

The establishment of the Clinical Research Centre marks a crucial milestone in healthcare collaboration between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, ushering in a new phase of partnership in clinical research, medical innovation and talent development. By fusing Hong Kong’s research strengths with Nansha’s policy and industrial advantages, the Centre will further promote healthcare integration and innovation across the GBA.

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:00:00 UTC CUHK Chung Chi College 75th Anniversary Excellence Talk Series finale charts the frontiers of cancer robotics and AI innovation

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:00:00 UTC

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Chung Chi College’s flagship event for its 75th anniversary, the Excellence Talk Series, concluded today (11 July). The final two talks, themed “Future Innovation”, brought together two of the region’s foremost minds to explore how cross-disciplinary medical-engineering collaboration is driving innovation in cancer treatment and how artificial intelligence is reshaping global economic frameworks. The grant finale attracted over 600 faculty members, students and alumni at the CUHK campus.

Redefining medicine: the med-tech revolution against cancer

The talks were delivered by two distinguished speakers: Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan (Chung Chi College / 1994 / MBChB), Dean of the CUHK Faculty of Medicine, CUHK Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Professor of Robotic Surgery and Director of the CUHK Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center; and Professor Herbert Chia Pun-kok, Senior Advisor of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Hong Kong & Macau, former Vice President of Alibaba Group and Adjunct Associate Professor of the Institute for China Business at the University of Hong Kong.

In his talk, Medicine-Engineering Innovative Breakthroughs Against Cancer, Professor Chiu demonstrated how interdisciplinary integration between medicine and engineering is making cancer interventions significantly safer, more precise and more accessible, while highlighting Hong Kong’s advantages in this field. Professor Chiu pointed out: “I believe that the technologies of the next decade, including artificial intelligence, data medicine, quantum computing, and telemedicine networks, will significantly enhance the precision and efficacy of medical treatments, strengthen preventive healthcare, and comprehensively reshape the entire medical ecosystem.”

Navigating the AI shift: maintaining global competitiveness

Professor Chia’s presentation, Leading Change through Artificial Intelligence, examined how AI is reshaping industries and society, and discussed how to maintain competitiveness in the AI era. Professor Chia emphasised the need to define clear boundaries for human-AI collaboration, stating that artificial intelligence should serve as a partner that enhances thinking and growth, rather than a tool that replaces human judgment.

A legacy of knowledge and future horizons

As a cornerstone of Chung Chi College’s diamond jubilee celebrations, the Excellence Talk Series has successfully catalysed vital discourse on global trends throughout the academic year. The conclusion of this series sets the stage for the next phase of the College’s landmark 75th Anniversary events, which aim to connect the university community across generations.

As Chung Chi College’s 75th Anniversary celebrations continue, the College will continue to roll out a series of highlight events, including the 75th Anniversary Banquet, the Chung Chi Cruise Tour and the highly anticipated official opening ceremony of the Chung Chi College History Gallery. These occasions will bring together faculty members, students and alumni to reflect on the College’s heritage since its founding in 1951 and look ahead to its future development.

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 UTC CUHK develops AI-OCT to assist with diabetic macular edema detection False positives sharply reduced by 60%, and waiting time shortened

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 UTC

A research team from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) has developed an AI-assisted optical coherence tomography (AI-OCT) system as an improved alternative to current screening standard for diabetic macular edema (DME), a a major cause of blindness. The system utilises AI to re-examine patients suspected of having DME, successfully screening out 60% of false-positive referrals to specialist clinics. The team hopes the system will minimise unnecessary referrals, reduce the burden on the healthcare system and shorten waiting times for patients requiring urgent care, achieving the goal of early detection and timely treatment. The findings have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), one of the world’s leading scientific journals.

Diabetic retinopathy, including DME, is a major cause of blindness among working-age individuals with diabetes. When high blood sugar persists, DME damages the small blood vessels in the retina, reducing blood supply and triggering retinal hypoxia. In response, the retina signals for the growth of new blood vessels to increase nutrient supply. However, these new vessels are abnormally fragile and prone to leakage and bleeding, leading to fluid accumulation and swelling. If this swelling occurs at the macula, the area with the highest concentration of photoreceptor cells, diabetic macular edema develops.

Routine diabetic retinopathy screening using fundus photographs, currently the standard worldwide, has limitations in evaluating DME, resulting in a high rate of false positives.

Silent early symptoms of DME may lead to blindness if untreated

Professor Clement Tham Chee-yung, S.H. Ho Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at CU Medicine, said: “DME is one of the leading causes of vision impairment in patients with diabetes, affecting approximately 7% of this population. In its early stages, DME is often silent and asymptomatic. However, if left untreated, by the time a patient notices blurred vision, it may already be too late and irreversible. In severe cases, this can lead to significant vision loss or even blindness.”

Screening for diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients is an important strategy to reduce vision loss caused by diabetic eye disease. Currently, regular fundus photography is widely used in clinical practice to detect and assess vascular leakage or swelling in the macular area. However, as it only provides a 2D view of the retina, relying solely on them as proxy to refer suspected DME has resulting in a high rate of false positives. This limitation leads to unnecessary consultations, creates unnecessary anxiety among patients, increases the workload for ophthalmologists, and strains valuable medical resources.

AI-OCT significantly reduces false-positive in screening

The AI-OCT system, developed by a CU Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences team, combines new AI techniques with OCT to provide 3D imaging of the retina, aiming to improve the accuracy of screening and referrals. A stepwise clinical evaluation of the AI-OCT system was conducted. In Phase 1, between 2020 and 2023, 603 diabetic patients were identified through a triage clinic. The findings revealed that the AI-OCT system exhibited a sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 91% in detecting DME among the diabetic population.

Based on the findings from Phase 1, a subsequent Phase 2 study was conducted. Between 2023 and 2025, the team identified 276 patients initially suspected of having DME via territory-wide diabetic retinopathy screening using fundus photography. These patients were randomly assigned to either an intervention group, where follow-up examinations were assisted by the AI-OCT system, or a control group, where patients were directly referred to specialist clinics for assessment.

In the intervention group, the AI-OCT system identified 39 patients as having DME and 17 cases as uncertain. After ophthalmologists determined the need for referral, all patients were referred for DME evaluation. Ultimately, 41 cases were confirmed as DME. In comparison, the control group saw 43 cases ultimately confirmed as DME. In other words, with follow-up examinations assisted by the AI-OCT system, the proportion of patients requiring referral to specialist clinics dropped by approximately 60% to just 39.4%. (See table below)

Aiming for broad healthcare adoption

Dr Simon Szeto Ka-ho, Assistant Professor of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at CU Medicine, commented: “The progression of diabetic retinopathy varies among patients. Currently, after initial screening, patients often need multiple referrals to specialists and undergo OCT examinations, making the diagnostic process lengthy and complex. During this period, some patients may already suffer irreversible vision loss. If false positive cases can be screened out early using the AI-OCT system, unnecessary referrals for these patients can be avoided, which would significantly reduce healthcare costs and prevent delays in treatment for those with urgent and confirmed diagnoses.”

Professor Carol Cheung Yim-lui from the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at CU Medicine added: “This achievement provides a practical framework for the real-world implementation of AI-enabled tools in ophthalmology and other clinical specialties. The team hopes to see the AI-OCT system implemented across all levels of healthcare services, enabling diabetic retinopathy screening at the primary and secondary care levels and assisting in triaging suspected cases of DME at the tertiary care level. This would ensure urgent cases of DME receive earlier treatment, ultimately reducing vision loss.”

Table: Comparison of suspected DME cases identified by fundus photography before and after AI-OCT intervention

	Control group (139 participants)	Intervention group (137 participants)
Referred for DME evaluation	139 (100%)	54 (39.4%)
Determined to have DME	43 (30.9%)	41 (29.9%)
False-positive DME referral rate	69.1%	24.1%

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 UTC CUHK medical pioneer Professor Siew Ng receives the highest national engineering honour, the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 UTC

Professor Siew Ng, Croucher Professor in Medical Sciences and Professor in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine), has been awarded the 16th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award by the Chinese Academy of Engineering, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to medical research and, crucially, her pioneering work in clinical translation engineering complex gut microbiome science into scalable, life-saving healthcare solutions.

Presented biennially, the Guanghua Award is the highest honour in Chinese engineering science and technology. Professor Ng is the sole Hong Kong scholar in medicine and health to be honoured this year, among a select group of just 40 awardees chosen nationwide.

Shifting the paradigm of global public health

Professor Ng’s groundbreaking work has transformed the understanding of IBD across Asia. During her PhD studies at Imperial College London, she began investigating the gut microbiome and went on to lead the first large-scale epidemiological studies of IBD in Asia. Her team revealed a staggering 30-fold rise in incidence in Hong Kong over three decades, a finding that reshaped both regional and global public health perspectives. Today, Professor Ng leads a prolific international research network spanning more than 100 centres across over 30 countries and regions. ExpertScape ranks her among the top 0.029% of global experts in IBD.

Engineering science into life-saving medicine

Beyond academic discovery, Professor Ng is an innovator who bridges the gap between laboratory science and bedside care. A pioneer in clinical translation, she introduced faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to Hong Kong in 2013 for the treatment of life-threatening gut infections. Five years later, she established Asia’s first FMT research centre, now the sole provider of FMT services for all Hong Kong public hospitals. Her proprietary FMT MOZAIC^TM technology has significantly reduced hospitalisations and improved patient survival. In 2019, she established the Microbiota I-Center (MagIC) under the HKSAR Government’s InnoHK initiative and has since co-founded two biotechnology companies to translate microbiome science into accessible diagnostics and therapeutics.

A recipient of landmark accolades and international honours

A world-leading expert in the gut microbiome, Professor Ng is Associate Dean (Research) of CU Medicine and Director MagIC. She is the first Croucher Professor in Medical Sciences, a named professorship established by the Croucher Foundation. She also serves as Associate Editor of medical journal Gut, a member of the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IOIBD) – an elite global panel of 50 leading experts – a Foreign Member of the Academia Europaea and a Member of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences.

Professor Ng has published more than 450 peer-reviewed papers in leading journals including The Lancet, Nature, Nature Genetics and Nature Medicine. Her many honours include the Ministry of Education Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award (First Class), the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Science and Technology Innovation Prize and recognition as the first female clinician-scientist to receive the New Cornerstone Investigator award in the Chinese Mainland. She has been named a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher and included among Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists for six consecutive years (2020-25). Her entrepreneurial achievements have earned her the Best Innopreneur Award from the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (2025) and Deloitte Hong Kong’s Technology Fast Outstanding Female Entrepreneur Award (2022).

A vision for Hong Kong’s biomedical future

On receiving the Guanghua Award, Professor Ng said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition. This award belongs equally to my team and collaborators who have worked tirelessly to advance research in IBD and microbiome medicine. With Hong Kong’s growing commitment to biomedical innovation, we will continue to push boundaries and position the city as a leading international hub for life sciences and health technology.”