Mr Zhaojin Guo, a first-year PhD student in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health (PH) at the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences (JCC), has been accepted into the highly selective Future Global Leaders Programme (FGLP). The programme, a collaboration between City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and the University of Cambridge’s Lucy Cavendish College, nurtures emerging leaders capable of driving global change through expertise in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues.
The FGLP includes a mix of online and in-person activities at both Cambridge and CityUHK, offering participants intercultural exposure, professional mentorship, and leadership training. For Zhaojin, whose research intersects artificial intelligence (AI) and animal health, the programme presents a unique opportunity to amplify the real-world impact of his work.
Under the supervision of Professor Kai Liu, Associate Professor (PH), Zhaojin is pioneering an AI-driven system that leverages computer vision and large language models to enhance livestock monitoring and welfare. His project, which recently secured HK Tech 300 seed funding under the title “Smart Livestock Solution Based on Next-Generation AI with Cloud-Edge Fusion,” aligns with CityUHK’s One Health initiative, which emphasises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
“The seed funding validated our project’s potential,” Zhaojin shared. “Now, through the FGLP, I aim to refine its scalability and global applicability.” The programme’s focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and access to industry mentors will help him bridge the gap between research and sustainable business solutions.
Zhaojin has set three key objectives for his FGLP journey: mastering leadership frameworks to steer complex, cross-disciplinary projects; expanding his professional network with peers and experts worldwide; and designing scalable, SDG-aligned business models to accelerate his team’s goal of commercialising AI tools by 2026.
“This experience will sharpen my ability to navigate cross-cultural challenges and drive innovation in One Health,” he added.
His selection for the FGLP not only underscores his academic excellence but also reflects CityUHK’s commitment to developing leaders who can tackle global sustainability challenges. As Zhaojin embarks on this transformative experience, he is poised to contribute cutting-edge solutions at the intersection of AI, animal welfare, and public health.