The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) today (6 August) unveiled its new five-year strategic plan, titled “CUHK 2026-2030: Leaping to Greatness” (the “CUHK 2026-2030”), outlining the University’s development priorities and strategic direction for the next five years. With the ambition to create greater impact on humanity and global communities, CUHK adheres to its vision of becoming a first-class comprehensive research university whose scholarly output, bilingual and multicultural education, and community contributions consistently meet global standards of excellence. As a publicly funded university, CUHK will leverage its strengths in talent cultivation, knowledge innovation and global engagement to contribute to the development of China and the Hong Kong SAR in alignment with priorities in the national 15^th Five-Year Plan and the city’s first five-year planning.

The “TIGER” action framework of CUHK 2026–2030 forms five interconnected strategic directions. It reflects a united, well-coordinated and actionable commitment from the entire University to progressively realise our vision of “Leaping to Greatness” that symbolises CUHK’s continued evolution to pursue purpose-driven excellence, impact-oriented outcomes and lasting societal contributions with innovation, rigour and responsibility.

The five interconnected strategic pillars in CUHK 2026–2030 include:

• T – Talent Attraction and Development
• I – Institutional Development
• G – Global and Alumni Engagement
• E – Education and Student Experience
• R – Research and Innovation

Embracing the new vision with agility characterised in the spirit of a tiger

In his remarks, Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, said: “The five key areas of the Strategic Plan form the ‘TIGER’ action framework that embodies courage, agility and drive, underscoring CUHK’s development vision which will be realised through precise planning and rigorous execution. CUHK will continue to drive breakthroughs in life and health sciences, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum science and other frontier fields, and participate in national scientific research initiatives, leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages and position as China’s most international city, with an aim of cultivating world-class talent and new knowledge that benefit the world.”

Aligning with the strategic planning of China and the Hong Kong SAR

Professor Lo said: “CUHK 2026-2030 is the first five-year strategic plan formulated since I assumed office in 2025. It marks a major milestone in the University’s development in timely alignment with the five-year planning of China and the Hong Kong SAR. At a time of profound global transformation, technological advances are reshaping the world and redefining the role of universities in society. CUHK has joined the world’s top 20 for the first time in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, rising to the 18^th place. This is a testament to the University’s progress in the past 63 years signifying our global academic influence.”

Professor John Chai Yat-chiu, Chairman of the CUHK Council; Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, Professor Isabella Poon Wai-yin, Provost of CUHK, Professor Anthony Chan Tak-cheung, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Alumni / Community Engagement & Institutional Advancement), Professor Jiang Liwen, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & External Affairs) and Mr Albert Chow Hing-pong, Vice-President (Administration), together with other members of the University’s senior management, attended the media luncheon today to mark the official launch.

Creating value to benefit humanity

Professor Isabella Poon Wai-yin, Provost of CUHK, introduced the University’s priority areas and said: “In face of global challenges such as the AI revolution, sustainable development and climate change, universities carry an unprecedentedly vital mission. A truly impactful university does not merely respond to the present needs of the era, but will also actively shape the direction of our future. Through interdisciplinary, cross-regional and cross-sector collaborations, we aim to translate CUHK’s deep academic foundation, unique collegiate system and global network into a driving force for social progress and innovation.”

Team spirit of CUHK leadership in co-creating the development blueprint

The formulation of CUHK 2026-2030 was a year-long collaborative effort overseen by the Strategic Plan Steering Committee chaired by Professor Lo with support from the senior management team and consultation from the broad CUHK community, from conceptualisation, drafting to visual design. This multi-faceted collaboration fully demonstrates the team spirit of the CUHK community in propelling the University toward a new chapter. The visual design of the Strategic Plan agenda features circular lines and patterns representing the letters “C” and “U” for CUHK. The concentric-circle motif also symbolises CUHK members coming together like concentric circles, uniting their strengths to work towards common goals. The visual palette centres on the university colours of purple and gold, representing passion and loyalty (purple), alongside perseverance and resolve (gold). For details of the Strategic Plan, please refer to https://www.cuhk2030.cuhk.edu.hk.

Key Initiatives

Establishing the 10th College for postgraduates

CUHK will establish a postgraduate college as its 10th college. This initiative will extend the University’s long-standing collegiate system to the postgraduate community, creating a vibrant, international environment for cross-disciplinary dialogue, holistic development and lifelong networking.

In addition, CUHK will develop flagship international undergraduate programmes and signature schemes embedding innovation, entrepreneurship and concepts of sustainability into the curriculum. It will also strengthen industry-academia collaboration and knowledge transfer to attract and nurture outstanding local and international innovative talents. CUHK will also revitalise its General Education curriculum with national and global perspectives. Moreover, the University will strengthen collaboration with CUHK-Shenzhen and other institutions in the GBA and expand opportunities for exchange and internships abroad to support students’ holistic development and lifelong learning.

Attracting global talent and expanding international impact

CUHK will leverage its strengths as an international research university to attract outstanding students, scholars and researchers from around the world, fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. Currently, approximately 56% of CUHK’s professors come from outside Hong Kong while the University achieved a perfect score in the QS international faculty ratio indicator, demonstrating its success in attracting top academic talent globally.

This year, applications from non-local students increased by about 20% compared with last year. Applications from regions outside the Chinese Mainland rose even more significantly, by 75%, with most applicants coming from Southeast Asia and the Middle East, reflecting CUHK’s growing international appeal. To attract exceptional students, CUHK launched the Fenghuang Scholarship this year. The scholarship offers outstanding students who achieve excellent results in local and overseas public examinations financial support, together with overseas exchange opportunities. Through this initiative, the University aims to attract high-calibre young talent and nurture future leaders with a global vision, innovative capabilities and a strong sense of social responsibility.

Driving interdisciplinary research to address global challenges

CUHK will seize opportunities arising from the Northern Metropolis, the Hetao Cooperation Zone and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, while focusing on frontier fields including life and health technologies, AI, quantum science and green technology. The University will further integrate into the national research and innovation ecosystem and actively participate in major scientific initiatives spanning space, polar research and deep-sea studies, fostering comprehensive development from Antarctic expeditions and space missions to the translation of world-class innovations.

In recent years, CUHK has been actively demonstrating its research excellence. Notable achievements include the successful launch of CUHK Sat-1, the world’s first AI satellite dedicated to urban sustainable development, and leading the development of the laser heterodyne spectrometer selected for the nation’s Tianwen-3 Mars exploration mission. These accomplishments underscore the University’s pivotal role in supporting national strategic science and technology development. Furthermore, the Hong Kong Centre for Logistics Robotics, an InnoHK centre established by CUHK, founded Hong Kong’s first full-stack embodied intelligence laboratory in 2026 to drive frontier technologies in embodied AI and robotics, further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology hub.

The Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) has announced the main round offer results today. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) continues to be the top pick for students who wish to pursue medicine. Among the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) top scorers who chose to study medicine in Hong Kong, 12 have enrolled at CU Medicine – representing 60% of the total medical top-scorer cohort. This year, CU Medicine admitted 210 DSE students, maintaining a local JUPAS intake of 70% or above for the ninth consecutive year. The Global Physician-Leadership Stream (GPS) continues to be the top programme in the territory, with the highest median admission score among all undergraduate programmes for the 13th consecutive year. 

A supportive learning environment and a unique teaching philosophy define the territory’s top medicine programme

Among the top DSE scorers (including “super top scorers” and “top scorers”) achieving 5** in six or more subjects in 2026 who chose to pursue medical studies, 12 enrolled at CU Medicine (with one admitted via the School Recommendations Direct Admission Scheme, SNDAS).  This accounts for 60% of the total medical top-scorer cohort. According to admissions data, over 60% of all aspiring medical students scoring 5** in five or more subjects (comprising super top scorers, top scorers, and runner-up top scorers) selected CU Medicine as their top preference – underscoring its position as the premier choice for elite students.  Details are as follows:

Admission scores adjusted for local medical schools

^#Grade Point Conversion: Level 5**=7, 5*=6, 5=5, 4=4, 3=3;

^##Intakes through School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS) excluded

GPS continues to be the top programme for the 13th consecutive year

Since its launch in the 2013/14 academic year, the Global Physician-Leadership Stream (GPS) has maintained the highest median admission score among all undergraduate programmes in Hong Kong for 13 consecutive years. Details of 2026/27 admission scores of MBChB programmes are detailed below:

^#Grade Point Conversion: Level 5**=7, 5*=6, 5=5, 4=4, 3=3; intakes through School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS) are excluded

Being the first programme of its kind in Asia, GPS has been the top JUPAS programme for 13 years consecutively, and has admitted around 800 elite students, including 46 DSE top scorers over the years.

GPS aims to inspire students to unleash their potential, broaden their perspectives, and develop their leadership skills in fields such as healthcare and research. The curriculum provides personal mentorship and arranges overseas internship opportunities for nearly 90% of its students, spanning more than 50 prestigious institutions across over 30 countries and regions – including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Harvard University.

To date, over 350 GPS graduates are pursuing careers in medicine and research. Demonstrating a strong commitment to giving back, five GPS alumni have returned to join the faculty team at CU Medicine, passing on the legacy of excellence and continuing to advance global health and well-being.

Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan, Dean of CU Medicine, remarked: “High-achieving students of this generation consider more than just academic reputation when choosing a school. They carefully assess factors like campus culture, global exposure, educational philosophy, and the overall learning environment in a holistic approach. We are delighted with the outstanding admission results this year. Through multiple pathways, we have attracted students with exceptional academic achievements and a genuine passion for medicine from diverse backgrounds. This stands as a strong testament to the broad recognition of CU Medicine’s supportive learning environment, educational philosophy and quality.  

Guided by our motto, ‘Transforming our passion into perfection’, CU Medicine is dedicated to nurturing compassionate, competent doctors as well as 21st-century medical leaders equipped with global perspectives and innovative capabilities. This aligns with the Government’s strategic focus on nurturing tech talents and establishing Hong Kong as an international hub for health and medical innovation. We place strong emphasis on holistic education, leveraging CUHK’s unique collegiate system to foster all-rounded development across academic excellence, moral character, and interpersonal skills. We hope every doctor educated at CUHK embodies ethical practice, empathy, humility, and lifelong learning, alongside the resilience needed to tackle future healthcare challenges.

To this end, we are comprehensively upgrading our infrastructure, which includes the Teaching-Research Complex currently under construction in Area 39 of the CUHK campus, adjacent to the future Pak Shek Kok MTR Station. Scheduled for completion in 2027, the 300,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility will house over 80 research teams and approximately 1,000 scientific researchers.  Together with the newly renovated Choh-Ming Li Basic Medical Sciences Building and the upgraded clinical teaching facilities at our teaching hospital, the Prince of Wales Hospital, CU Medicine shall continue to strengthen and optimise its teaching and research capabilities, nurturing more medical research talents for Hong Kong and the global community to advance global health and well-being.”

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has admitted 4 “super top scorers” (Level 5** in seven subjects) and 8 top scorers (Level 5** in six subjects) in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examination through JUPAS this year, accounting for half of all top scorers in Hong Kong. All 12 of these exceptional students will enrol in one of the University’s two medicine programmes: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) Programme and MBChB Programme (Global Physician-Leadership Stream). Among students who achieved level 5** in five subjects, 14 were admitted to CUHK: 12 to the MBChB Programme Global Physician-Leadership Stream while the remaining 2 enrolled in the MBChB Programme and the Quantitative Finance and Risk Management Science Programme, jointly offered by the Faculty of Business Administration and the Faculty of Science. Measured by candidates’ best five-subject HKDSE results, CUHK attracted half of Hong Kong’s highest-achieving students who attained 5** in five or more subjects.

Comprehensive academic excellence across faculties

This year, CUHK has admitted 2,855 undergraduate students through JUPAS, with nearly all being Band A students. The proportion of students admitted through JUPAS has exceeded 80% for five consecutive years. Dr Ann Lau, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at CUHK, said: “We are pleased that CUHK remains a top choice among Hong Kong’s most outstanding students, reaffirming the University’s longstanding reputation for nurturing future leaders. We will continue to provide an excellent learning environment through quality teaching, holistic student support and world-class research, empowering students to reach their full potential and develop into leaders with vision, integrity and a strong commitment to serving society.”

The eight faculties of CUHK provide a wide selection of programme options to cater for the diverse development of students. Highlighting CUHK’s role as a cradle of all-round talent, 15 CUHK programme or streams have admitted top students with a score of 33 or above in their best five HKDSE subjects:

• Artificial Intelligence: Systems and Technologies
• BA (Chinese Language Studies) and BEd (Chinese Language Education)
• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery – Global Physician-Leadership Stream (MBChB-GPS)
• Computational Data Science
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Enrichment Mathematics
• Enrichment Stream in Theoretical Physics
• Geography and Resource Management
• Global Business Studies
• Mathematics and Information Engineering
• Pharmacy
• Quantitative Finance
• Quantitative Finance and Risk Management Science
• Science

Nurturing holistic talent & diversity

In addition to academic achievement, CUHK places strong emphasis on students’ potential in leadership, community service, creative arts, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), sports and other areas. Through a range of admissions schemes and initiatives, the University gives special consideration to HKDSE candidates who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and diverse talents beyond the classroom. This year, CUHK admitted nearly 200 students through such pathways, including the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS), the JUPAS School Principal’s Nomination (SPN) Scheme, Other Experiences and Achievements in Competitions/Activities (OEA), the CUHK Sports Scholarship Scheme and the University Grants Committee’s Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission (SALSA) Scheme.

Among them, 95 students were admitted through the SPN Scheme. These students have distinguished themselves through outstanding achievements at the school, community and international levels, demonstrating exceptional talent and leadership potential. Some have excelled in STEM disciplines, while others have displayed remarkable abilities in music, performing arts and creative arts. Additionally, 10 students were admitted this year through the Sports Scholarship Scheme, in recognition of their outstanding achievements in sports including athletics, basketball, fencing, soccer, taekwondo and volleyball. Among them, 1 is a member of the Hong Kong team, 6 are members of Hong Kong Junior Squads and 3 are elite athletes at the Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation. CUHK has always been committed to providing equal educational opportunities for all students. This year 4 students with special educational needs (SEN) were admitted. The University will provide a variety of support and services based on their learning needs to help them adapt to their studies and university life.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has approved the appointment of Professor Vincent Wong Wai-sun, Professor in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, as Associate Vice-President (Research) on a concurrent basis for two years, effective 1 August 2026. He succeeds Professor Patrick Wong Chun-man, who will step down on 31 July 2026.

Reporting to Professor Jiang Liwen, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and External Affairs), Professor Wong will assist in overseeing the Research Office and various University research establishments, developing plans to enhance the research infrastructure, expanding global and regional research partnerships and collaborations and exploring and managing research opportunities and resources to elevate CUHK’s research capacity.

Vision for real-world research impact

Professor Wong said: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed Associate Vice-President (Research). As a CUHK alumnus and faculty member, I am grateful to the University for shaping my development as a clinician, researcher and educator. CUHK has long been recognised for its research excellence and global impact, and we are uniquely positioned as Hong Kong expands its role as a global innovation and technology hub. I look forward to working closely with Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Jiang Liwen and colleagues across disciplines in the University to strengthen our research ecosystem, foster innovative and collaborative research, and contribute to addressing global challenges through impactful discoveries and translational outcomes.”

Distinguished academic and research track record

Professor Wong is Mok Hing Yiu Professor of Medicine, Assistant Dean (Development) of the Faculty of Medicine, and Head of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at CUHK. A distinguished CUHK double alumnus, he earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) in 1999 and  Doctor of Medicine (MD) in 2008. He joined CUHK in 2007 and progressed through the professorial ranks to become a Full Professor in 2019.

A world-renowned clinician-scientist specialising in hepatology, Professor Wong’s research focuses on steatotic liver disease, chronic hepatitis B, liver fibrosis and portal hypertension, with particular emphasis on developing and applying non-invasive tests for screening, diagnosis and prognostication.

Professor Wong has an outstanding record in research, teaching and academic leadership. He has served as a researcher and panel member in theme-based research and major grant projects, collaborated with the State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease (CUHK) and contributed to international clinical practice guidelines for leading global professional bodies. He has authored more than 700 peer-reviewed journal articles and 12 book chapters, holding a Google Scholar h-index of 152. He currently serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of Hepatology and has held various leadership positions in the medical profession, including President of the Hong Kong Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (2015-2017) and Chairman of the Specialty Board of Gastroenterology and Hepatology of the Hong Kong College of Physicians (2022-2025).

In recognition of his contributions to research, teaching and clinical medicine, Professor Wong has received numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Research Paper Award of the Hong Kong College of Physicians, the Emerging Leader Lectureship of the Asian Pacific Digestive Week, the CUHK Exemplary Teachers’ Award, and the Research Excellence Award of the former Food and Health Bureau, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Through his extensive experience in securing major research opportunities and generating high-impact output, he has developed a strong vision for enhancing research culture, supporting researchers and strengthening the University’s research ecosystem.

Two pioneering research projects led by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have been awarded funding totalling over HK$105 million from the Research Grants Council (RGC) of the University Grants Committee (UGC) under the Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS) 2026/27. Utilising artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology, the projects address two of the most pressing global healthcare challenges: precision diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, and next-generation smart orthopaedic implants designed for ageing populations.

CUHK’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sham Mai-har said: “We are deeply grateful to the Research Grants Council for its strong support and recognition of our research teams through the Theme-based Research Scheme. These two funded projects underscore CUHK’s strengths in AI, medical sciences and translational research. We look forward to seeing their research outcomes further bridge scientific discovery and clinical application, bringing more precise and effective treatment options to patients with gastrointestinal cancers and ageing-related disorders, for the benefit of society.”

Precision prediction and treatment of GI cancers through decoding the gut microbiome

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC), remain leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage and often experience drug resistance and limited treatment response, resulting in unsatisfactory clinical outcomes. While recent studies have revealed a close relationship between the gut microbiota and the development and progression of GI cancers, the underlying mechanisms and clinical translation of these findings remain insufficiently understood, highlighting the urgent need for more effective non-invasive diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic approaches.

The project “Microbiota in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Mechanistic Investigation and Clinical Applications”, led by Professor Yu Jun, Assistant Dean (Mainland Affairs) at CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine and Choh-Ming Li Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics, has been awarded over HK$55.6 million. The research team will utilise state-of-the-art technological platforms to map gut microbiota changes in gastric and colorectal cancers at single-cell resolution, identify key microbes that promote or suppress tumour formation and elucidate their molecular mechanisms of action. The team will also develop AI-assisted microbial biomarker panels to predict patients’ treatment response accurately.

In addition, Professor Yu’s team will develop novel microbiota-based interventions, including probiotics, postbiotics and phages, to prevent GI cancers and enhance the efficacy of existing treatments. Through this project, the team aims to improve diagnostic and treatment outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal cancers, while nurturing scientific talent and contributing to the development of related industries in Hong Kong.

Next-generation smart orthopaedic implants to address bone health challenges of population ageing

Population ageing is posing a growing challenge to healthcare systems globally. Hong Kong is one of the world’s fastest-ageing cities, with people aged 65 or above projected to account for approximately 40% of the population by 2050. Consequently, age-related skeletal disorders such as osteoporosis, fragility fractures, and osteonecrosis are soaring. These conditions can lead to joint deformity, functional impairment, costly joint replacement surgeries, and complications with high mortality risk, imposing a substantial burden on healthcare systems.

The project “Next-Generation Orthopaedic Implants: R&D and Clinical Translation with Multi-functional Properties of Fixation, Regeneration, and AI-based Therapy Monitoring”, led by Professor Qin Ling, Assistant Dean (Mainland Affairs) at CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine and Choh-Ming Li Professor of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, has received over HK$49.4 million. To address the growing global burden of age-related musculoskeletal disorders, the research team is focusing on the development and clinical translation of next-generation orthopaedic implants. The team is currently advancing the clinical translation of innovative magnesium (Mg)-containing orthopaedic implants to treat osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) and femoral neck fractures (FNF). They are also investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which magnesium degradation enhances fracture healing, thereby strengthening the scientific foundation for clinical translation.

Simultaneously, Professor Qin’s team is developing AI-enabled smart orthopaedic implants capable of monitoring fracture healing progression in real time. By providing early warning signals when delayed healing or non-union is likely to occur, the technology will enable clinicians to intervene timely.

The team aims to achieve clinical translation of these next-generation orthopaedic implants within the next five to six years. The technology will help patients achieve not only structural bone recovery but also functional rehabilitation, while reducing or even eliminating the need for revision surgeries. The team will also collaborate with industry partners to translate innovative products from research into clinical application, bridging the gap between basic research and clinical practice, and ultimately enhancing the quality of life of patients with musculoskeletal disorders.

A collaborative research team from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) has made a remarkable biological discovery: certain soil bacteria known as Bradyrhizobium acquired the capacity to fix nitrogen on their own long before they evolved symbiotic relationships with legumes. Published in the leading international journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the findings overturn the long-held belief that the nitrogen-fixing capacity of a prevalent bacterial ally of legume plants such as soybean and peas primarily evolved within legume root nodules. This discovery could pave the way for the development of natural biofertilisers for major staple crops such as rice, wheat and corn.

Today, nearly half of the global food production relies on chemical nitrogen fertilisers. However, their manufacturing is energy-intensive, leading to greenhouse gas emissions as well as water pollution. While legumes can form symbiotic relationships with bacteria in their root nodules to fix atmospheric nitrogen, staple crops including rice, wheat and corn lack this symbiotic capability and remain heavily dependent on chemical fertilisers.

Uncovering genetic evolution of nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Led by Professor Luo Haiwei, Associate Professor in CUHK’s School of Life Sciences, the team included Dr Ling Lu, a former PhD student of Professor Luo who carried out this work as her doctoral research. They collected root and soil samples from non-legume plants in rice paddies, forests and wetlands across Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, isolating 88 strains of Bradyrhizobium. The team discovered that these bacteria not only survive freely in the soil but also settle on the roots of non-legume plants while continuing to fix nitrogen without requiring legume nodules. In other words, they can independently produce natural nitrogen fertiliser.

Using advanced genomic analysis, the team reconstructed the evolutionary history of the bacteria’s nitrogen-fixing genes. The results showed that the ancestors of these bacteria had already been capable of fixing nitrogen in the soil long before they partnered with legumes, revealing that the symbiotic relationship with legumes evolved independently multiple times later.

The ‘protective shield’ gene enabling bacteria’s independent survival

The researchers further identified a key gene, glbO, that is commonly found in free-living strains. This gene produces a protein that protects the oxygen-sensitive nitrogen-fixing enzyme from oxygen damage, acting like a “protective shield”. By contrast, bacteria living inside legume nodules are protected by the low-oxygen environment provided by the host plant, leading many symbiotic strains to lose this gene through evolution.

To verify this mechanism, the CUHK team collaborated with Dr Eric Giraud and his colleagues at IRD to study the unique Bradyrhizobium strain ORS285, which can fix nitrogen both inside legume nodules and in the free-living state. When the researchers disabled the glbO gene in this strain, the bacteria’s ability to fix nitrogen in the soil declined significantly, while its performance inside legume nodules remained unaffected. Conversely, restoring the gene to a strictly symbiotic strain that had previously lost it significantly improved its capacity to fix nitrogen independently in soil.

New opportunities for sustainable natural biofertilisers and global food security

Professor Luo said: “Our study shows that Bradyrhizobium bacteria were already able to fix nitrogen on their own long before they evolved symbiotic relationships with legumes. The symbiotic, legume-dwelling lifestyle evolved independently multiple times from these free-living ancestors. While mainstream research has focused on nitrogen fixation within legume root nodules, our findings suggest that the ancestral, free-living bacteria represent the original evolutionary starting point of this process. By understanding how these bacteria protect their nitrogen-fixing machinery in soil, we may be able to develop or screen strains that help non-legume crops such as rice and wheat produce their own fertiliser.”

Dr Ling, the study’s first author, added: “Chemical fertilisers are costly and environmentally damaging. Yet nature has already evolved bacteria capable of supplying plants with nitrogen at no cost. The challenge now is learning how to harness these beneficial microbes effectively.”

By demonstrating that free-living nitrogen-fixing Bradyrhizobium are both widespread and diverse in nature, this study provides a robust scientific foundation for future agricultural biotechnology. In the future, researchers may be able to use genetic engineering and microbial screening techniques to introduce these naturally protected bacteria into rice and wheat fields, thereby improving global food security while reducing agriculture’s environmental footprint.

The full research article is available here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2604918123

The Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity (HKIDO) of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) today (27 July 2026) announced the launch of the Initiative for Technology Evaluation and Cost-effectiveness in Healthcare (ITECH). This milestone initiative establishes a dedicated regional platform to advance health technology assessment (HTA), economic evaluation, and value-based healthcare across Asia.

Building on successful collaborations with the University of Oxford through the launch of the Mount Hood Diabetes Health Economics Conference in Clinical Decision Making in 2024, together with the Cost-effectiveness Analysis and Health Economic Evaluation in Asia Course in 2025, CUHK has formally established ITECH in response to Hong Kong’s accelerating healthcare transformation strategically.  The platform provides the rigorous, evidence-driven evaluation infrastructure required to guide medical innovation, inform public reimbursement decisions and ensure the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system.

Meeting the urgent demand for structural healthcare reform in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s healthcare ecosystem is undergoing significant reform. As population ageing intensifies, service demand surges and therapeutic innovation expands, particularly in oncology, rare diseases, cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic diseases, advanced biologics, diagnostics, and digital health. While these innovations offer new hope, their high costs have made health economic evaluation central to informing sustainable integration of them into public policy.

Professor Juliana Chan Chung-ngor, Founding Director of HKIDO and Principal Investigator of ITECH, said: “Hong Kong’s recent strategic healthcare reforms and accelerated regulatory pathways signal a clear shift towards structured, evidence-based and value-driven frameworks. These initiatives reflect a strong commitment to faster, accountable and data-driven access to healthcare solutions to improve community health and system sustainability. ITECH serves as a regional knowledge hub connecting multiple stakeholders and providing the methodological rigour needed to integrate clinical trial data and real-world evidence into transparent governance with scalable impact.”

An evidence-led platform with global impact

Supported by multiple research grants and sponsorships, ITECH’s research capacity is already yielding significant international results. Professor Andrea Luk On-yan in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, said: “Powered by big data analytics, ITECH’s research capacity is already generating high-impact evidence for a global audience. In 2026 alone, our faculty members published peer-reviewed studies across top-tier medical journals—including Diabetologia, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, and The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific—delivering critical insights into disease burden, health technology assessment, health economics and patient-reported outcomes.”

Professor Wu Hongjiang, Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics at CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine), a leading data scientist in epidemiology and real-world evidence[1], and an ITECH faculty member, highlighted the practical reach of these research: “Publications by ITECH have delivered critical insights into simulation modelling of cardiovascular, kidney and cancer risks; the cost-effectiveness of biomarker-guided screening; cost trajectories of diabetes complications; chronic kidney disease burden; productivity loss in young-onset diabetes; and global cost-effectiveness modelling for neonatal diagnostics.”

Government-academia-industry collaborations with international engagement 

Professor Juliana Lui Nga-man, Co-Principal Investigator of ITECH and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics at CU Medicine, said that this body of research demonstrates ITECH’s methodological leadership in patient-level simulation modelling and the generation of evidence on budget impact, value-based pricing and societal productivity. These methodologies are able to quantify the impact of new healthcare interventions on public expenditure, assess the appropriateness of pricing and evaluate broader societal benefits such as productivity gains, thereby providing a robust evidence base for policymaking.

Through ITECH, CUHK aims to consolidate its multiple modelling platforms to undertake commissioned projects and translate epidemiological heterogeneity into policy-relevant economic insights. These include:

• Formulary and reimbursement decisions by local healthcare authorities;
• Submission of reimbursement applications by industry;
• Planning of clinical trials with embedded economic evaluation;
• Modelling of public-private partnerships for sustainability; and
• Regional harmonisation of HTA standards.

Professor Lui emphasised: “Operating at the intersection of clinical science, epidemiology, health economics and policy, ITECH translates innovation into accelerated approvals with measurable value. This regional knowledge hub builds on long-standing partnerships with leading academic institutions, international health technology assessment bodies and health ministry offices across Asia-Pacific and Europe to align global HTA standards with regional reimbursement practices.” 

She added: “Beyond  generating research evidence, we are committed to delivering structured training programmes in HTA and cost-effectiveness analysis, developing harmonised evaluation frameworks for cross-jurisdictional use, and fostering interdisciplinary fellowships to cultivate the next generation of health economists and policy leaders across Asia.”

Shaping a new landscape for value-based healthcare in Asia: CUHK as a regional HTA hub

As healthcare innovation continues to advance, every reimbursement decision carries important economic and ethical implications, calling for independent and methodologically rigorous evaluation to inform clinical practice, policy and reimbursement decisions. ITECH stands as a strategic platform for advancing financial sustainability, scientific rigour, transparency in public resource allocation and equitable patient access in the use of public resources.

Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan, Dean of CU Medicine, concluded: “ITECH will play a central role in shaping the future architecture of value‑based healthcare in Hong Kong and Asia, ensuring that cutting-edge medical innovation translates into measurable value, sustainable financing and equitable access for all.”

To learn more about ITECH’s research, initiatives, and upcoming programmes, please visit: https://itechhk.org/. 

[1] Real-World Evidence (RWE) is the clinical evidence derived from the analysis of information collected from routine clinical practice in order to understand how treatments perform in real life settings.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) hosted the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance (GHMUA)’s 10th Anniversary Annual Meeting and Presidents’ Forum on its campus today (24 July 2026). As the Vice-Chair institution, CUHK brought together more than 180 participants, comprising university leaders and government officials across the region to review the development of GHMUA, with a specific focus on joint efforts to promote the sustainable growth of the Alliance and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). 

The opening ceremony was officiated by government leaders and university heads from across the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao, including:

• Ms Zhang Jin, Deputy Director-General, Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China;
• Dr Choi Yuk-Lin, JP, Secretary for Education, HKSAR Government;
• Mr Zheng Jinpeng, Inspector II, Department of Educational and Youth Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR);
• Mr Xu Shimin, Chief Inspector, Department of Education of Guangdong Province;
• Mr Ding Shaoxiong, Deputy Director, Education and Youth Development Bureau, Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region;
• Mr Xia Fangming, Inspector II, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Guangdong Province;
• Dr Liu Chenggong, Party Secretary of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) and Chairperson of the Alliance Board;
• Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK and Vice-Chairperson of the Alliance Board; and
• Professor Song Yonghua, President of the University of Macau (UM) and Vice-Chairperson of the Alliance Board.

Strategic vision: harnessing the GBA engine for the vision of a strong education nation

Professor Lo remarked in his opening speech, “Under the national 15th Five-Year Plan, efforts are being intensified to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology. In this context, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance should strategically leverage its unique advantages and work collaboratively to support the national goal of becoming a world-leading nation in education, science and technology, and talent cultivation. A decade ago, CUHK was honoured to co-found the Alliance with SYSU and UM, and to serve as a Vice-Chair institution of the Alliance. Over the past ten years, we have worked closely with partner universities in the GBA to expand mutually beneficial regional partnerships, while playing a leading role in advancing collaboration and innovation under the Alliance framework. Looking ahead, we remain firmly committed to strengthening strategic discipline building, supporting the establishment of national centres for interdisciplinary studies in the GBA, contributing to the implementation of the HKSAR’s Five-Year Plan, and further developing a research translation network spanning the GBA and the nation as a whole.”

Chart future collaboration and celebrate a decade of successful partnership

The guests expressed their continued support and commitment to GHMUA, with the hope that the development of the Alliance would enhance the influence of the GBA and bring significant advances in cooperation by leveraging the strengths of the three regions. As the highlight of the Annual Meeting, the President’s Forum was held in three panel discussions, during which presidents of member universities exchanged views under the theme “A Decade of Cooperation, Shared Success in the GBA”. Participants explored how universities can better respond to societal needs and leverage their distinctive strengths, as well as how disciplinary development and innovation ecosystems can support national priorities in advancing self-reliance and strength in science and technology and talent-driven development.

Preceding the Presidents’ Forum, the Alliance Board convened its annual meeting to approve the annual work plan and elect new Board members. As 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the Alliance, a special exhibition was organised to celebrate its achievements, highlighting the outcomes of collaborative platforms established by member institutions across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

To celebrate this milestone, the Alliance also staged its inaugural inter-university cultural performance, bringing together award-winning student groups from member institutions. The programme featured a variety of artistic performances, showcasing the vibrancy of youth talent and reflecting the cultural integration fostered among the three regions.

About the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance (GHMUA)

Established in November 2016 under the joint initiative of CUHK, SYSU and UM, GHMUA serves as a premier higher education platform, building on the efforts of elite universities across the three regions to pursue research excellence, nurture young talents, and render community service. The Alliance currently comprises 52 member institutions, including 35 universities from Guangdong Province, 10 universities from Hong Kong, and 7 institutions from Macao. As a co-founding institution, CUHK has been playing a central role in mobilizing research and education resources, fostering collaboration and exchange among member institutions, and propelling innovation and talent development in the GBA through the Alliance.

Six distinguished scholars from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have been awarded prestigious fellowships under the Research Grants Council (RGC) Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SRFS) and Research Fellow Scheme (RFS) 2026/27. The accolades recognise their distinguished research achievements and provide major funding to drive breakthrough research with global impact.

CUHK will receive a fellowship grant of about HK$8.5 million per SRFS award and HK$5.6 million per RFS award to cover the salary costs for relief teachers and provide resource support to advance these frontier research initiatives over a period of 60 months.

CUHK’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sham Mai-har said: “My heartfelt congratulations to the six awarded scholars this year. Their forward-looking, impactful projects affirm their outstanding academic achievements and reflect CUHK’s research excellence across diverse fields, from mathematical sciences and business theory to artificial intelligence and biomedical sciences. With the support of the RGC, we look forward to seeing our scholars continue to drive innovation and push the frontiers of knowledge.”

The pioneering research projects led by the newly appointed Fellows include:

RGC Senior Research Fellows:

• Professor Liao Wei-Hsin, Choh-Ming Li Professor of Mechanical and Automation Engineering
  • Project: Auxetic Structures for Energy Harvesting and Absorption
• Professor Michael Zhang Xiaoquan, Wei Lun Professor of Business AI, Department of Decisions, Operations and Technology
  • Project: Toward a Holistic Understanding of Distributional Uncertainty
• Professor Zou Jun, Choh-Ming Li Professor of Mathematics
  • Project: A General Framework for Iterative Sampling-Type Methods and Mathematical Justifications for Recovering Moving Inhomogeneous Inclusions in Acoustic Wave Scattering Problems

RGC Research Fellows:

• Professor Dou Qi, Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering
  • Project: Advancing Robotic Surgery Autonomy from Basic Actions to Complex Manipulations in Dynamic Endoscopic Environments
• Professor Duan Liting, Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering
  • Project: From Static to Tunable: An Ambient Light-Gated Gene Therapy Platform for Glaucoma
• Professor Liu Ruixuan, Associate Professor in the Department of Decisions, Operations and Technology
  • Project: Deep Generative Modeling Meets Causal Inference

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.