World Academician Conference asks "Where is Science Going in the 21st Century?"

World Academician Conference asks “Where is Science Going in the 21st Century?”

Date  ：22 October 2009 (Thursday)

Time  ：Opening ceremony at 9:00am

Venue：Wei Hing Theatre, 6/F Amenities Building, City University of Hong Kong,  Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong

City University of Hong Kong will host the academician conference “Where is Science Going in the 21st Century?” from 22 to 23 October. Three Nobel laureates and 11 academicians will look at the impact of science on society and discuss future directions of scientific advancement, the role of education policy in propelling scientific discoveries, and the relationship between science and society at large.

The three Nobel laureates are Professor Albert Fert (2007 Nobel Laureate in Physics), Professor Robert H Grubbs (2005 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry) and Professor K Barry Sharpless (2001 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry). The 11 renowned world academicians include Fields medallists, recipients of the Wolf Prize, A M Turning Award and the US National Medal for Science. They are world-class scientists excelling in their specific frontiers and their research is closely related to society and our daily lives. Two panel discussions will be held to explore the role of education policy in spawning great scientists and the relationship between science and society.

Guests attending the opening ceremony include CityU’s Professor Way Kuo, President, and Professor Roderick Wong Sue-chuen, Vice-President (Research and Technology).

The conference also features speakers who have received higher education in Hong Kong and become scientists of international repute, including Professor Alfred Y Cho, Professor Tak Wah Mak and Professor Yum-tong Siu.

The media is welcome to cover the conference and opening ceremony. For media enquiries and interview requests, please contact Shirley Pang of the Communications and Public Relations Office on 3442 6819 or 9308 0568. For more information about the conference, please visit: www.cityu.edu.hk/science21stcentury/