Forty Years of Exploration in Life Sciences: Master Samuel Sun’s Road of Innovation
The Chinese University of Hong Kong appointed Prof. Samuel Sun to be the Master-designate of S.H. Ho College in 2006, who officially became the College Master in 2009. He has been devoted to create an inspirational, multi-cultural and interactive learning environment for its students. Over time, S.H. Ho College is entering its 10th anniversary and welcoming its 4th cohort of graduates in 2016. Under the guidance of Master Sun, the College has become a congenial home to its students and has been offering innovative educational programmes. As a scientist, Master Sun strives to innovate. On 11-16 April, Master Sun presented in three academic talks in the Second ‘Yen Kwo-Yung Lecture in Life Sciences’.
The first lecture ‘Science Essence: The Springhead of Motivation and Innovation’ summarized Master sun’s path of research experiences. (Photo credit: School of Life Sciences)
Jointly organized by New Asia College and the School of Life Sciences, ‘Yen Kwo-Yung Lecture in Life Sciences’ has entered its second year. In a bid to enhance the general public and students’ understanding in life sciences as well as their values and applications in modern society, Dr. Yen Kai-Ming established the ‘Mr. Yen Kwo-Yung Memorial Fund’ which supports the lecture series. The first lecture ‘Science Essence: The Springhead of Motivation and Innovation’ summarized Master Sun’s path of research experiences. He pointed out that innovation brings better changes, as innovation originates in creative mindset and creativity originates in imagination. He also elaborated how passion and interest could inspire and ignite innovativeness. The second lecture, ‘Innovation’, was held at the assembly of New Asia College. Master Sun shared with New Asia students his view on innovation. He further vividly illustrated the creative opening and closing ceremonies of S.H. Ho College Master’s Cup initiated by its students. Master Sun remarked that students’ creativity would be ignited and their pursuit of innovation would be aroused, provided that they were given space and nourished with encouragement. The third lecture ‘The Springhead of Scientific Research and Innovation’, moderated by Prof. Lap-chee Tsui, was held in the Hong Kong Science Museum. Master Sun continued to share his experience of grooming the innovative minds and reiterated the significance of innovation to modern society. The three lectures ended successfully, during which the audience learnt from interacting with Master Sun.
The first lecture ‘Science Essence: The Springhead of Motivation and Innovation’ summarized Master sun’s path of research experiences. (Photo credit: School of Life Sciences)
Master Sun is a renowned international expert in agricultural biotechnology and the first scientist to clone a plant gene. He successfully cloned the first plant gene in 1980 and established himself as the father of plant gene cloning. Having been dedicated in improving the crop yield and nutritional value of rice with the mission of doing good to mankind, he has made important contributions to solving the world’s food shortage problem. Master Sun is currently an Emeritus Professor of Biology and a Research Professor of Biology at CUHK. His research achievements have won him international recognitions, including being elected as member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the International Eurasia Academy of Sciences. He also facilitated the establishment of the State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology (CUHK) aiming to up-scale agricultural technology and increase agricultural productivity in China.