Prof. Zhiguo Yuan and Dr. Xuanyu Lu from SEE Featured in Wen Wei Po for Leading Innovation in Water Technology and Talent Development in Hong Kong
Photo source: Courtesy of Wen Wei Po
Prof. Zhiguo Yuan AM, the Chair Professor and his Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Xuanyu Lu from the School of Energy and Environment (SEE) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), were recently featured in the Hong Kong newspaper Wen Wei Po for sharing their insights on advancing the city’s water technology through local innovation and talent cultivation.
Prof. Yuan, a globally recognized expert in urban water management and environmental biotechnology, has over 20 years of academic experience in Australia. He joined CityUHK in 2023 and was awarded the prestigious "Global STEM Professorship" by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. His research focuses on the fusion of foundational science and engineering to revolutionize urban water management.
“Many believe a professor’s role is simply to help students graduate with a thesis—that’s far from enough. What truly matters is cultivating their ability to analyze and solve problems,” said Prof. Yuan. “Hong Kong has the potential to cultivate the next generation of scientific treasures.”
Prof. Yuan emphasizes nurturing students’ independent thinking through hands-on, holistic research training from problem identification and hypothesis formation to experimental design and knowledge application. He views the real legacy of his laboratory as the talent it develops: “My students are my best ambassadors.” While most applicants currently come from Mainland China, he notes the importance of encouraging more local students to pursue doctoral studies. Prof. Yuan also expresses confidence that CityUHK’s competitive scholarships and growing global reputation will continue to attract outstanding students dedicated to high-quality, impactful research.
Dr. Xuanyu Lu, a rising environmental engineer and postdoctoral researcher at SEE, emphasized the value of Hong Kong’s globally integrated and vibrant research ecosystem. Having completed his PhD in Australia and relocating to Hong Kong in 2023, Dr. Lu noted that the city’s role as a bridge between Mainland China and the international academic community was a decisive factor in his move.
He aspires to expand his research in sustainable technologies and contribute to positioning Hong Kong as a hub for green innovation. “This is a place where young researchers can both do science and make a difference,” said Dr. Lu.
Prof. Yuan and Dr. Lu exemplify CityUHK’s dedication to cutting-edge research and talent cultivation, contributing meaningfully to Hong Kong’s emergence as a global hub for innovation and sustainable development.
Read the full feature in Wen Wei Po:
https://www.wenweipo.com/s/202506/25/AP685b4471e4b038f05d24cd2d.html