PolyU and HKAABJU co-organise “Together with Scientists” thematic event, featuring talks by Nobel laureates sharing their cutting-edge research ideas

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities (HKAABJU) co-organised the “Together with Scientists” thematic event, as part of the key events of the second Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference 2025. Dr Elizabeth LEE,  HKAABJU President, accompanied Prof. Andre GEIM, 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics and Prof. Harvey James ALTER, 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to the PolyU campus, where the two Nobel laureates shared their outstanding research outcomes and unique insights in their respective fields of research during their keynote presentations. The event aimed to promote academic exchanges and inspire innovative thinking, attracting over 150 faculty members, students, scholars and researchers onsite, and more than 126,000 participants who joined online through various social media platforms to explore cutting-edge scientific issues.

Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President expressed his gratitude to Prof. Geim and Prof. Alter for sharing their invaluable insights with the participants. He added, “As an innovative world-class university, PolyU is dedicated to advancing its research endeavours. The University has established numerous research institutes and research centres, including the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research and, more recently, the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence. PolyU is also actively pursuing the opportunity to establish Hong Kong’s third medical school, with AI as a key enabler.”

Prof. Geim delivered a keynote presentation on “Wonder Materials”, sharing applications of graphene. Together with physicist Konstantin Novoselov, he was awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking contributions to the study of two-dimensional graphene materials. He is Director of the Manchester Centre for Mesoscience and Nanotechnology, Director of the Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua–Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Foreign Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fellow of the Royal Society and Foreign Academician of the National Academy of Sciences, the United States. His research interests range from nanomaterials to buoyancy quantum states.

Prof. Alter shared his thoughts and experience on the theme “Roadmap to Success”. He was the co-recipient of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, along with the virologists Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice for their contribution to the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus. His research proved that Hepatitis C is a separate viral disease and enabled development of testing methods that help ensure blood safety. His work has paved the way for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Hepatitis C, saving the lives of millions.

During the subsequent panel discussion and Q&A session, the two speakers shared their insights on scientific research, encouraging the students and young researchers to continue to explore and advance in their academic pursuits.

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