Kao lauded as role model for HK's youth
Nobel physics laureate Dr Charles Kao Kuen got a hero's welcome at Chinese University yesterday.
The 'Father of Fibre Optics', a key technology underlying the internet, was held up as an inspiration for Hong Kong's youthful innovators.
'His achievements and commitment have inspired young scientists to dedicate themselves to pushing the boundaries of scientific research,' Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said at the launch of an exhibition honouring Kao. 'I encourage young people to consider Professor Kao as a role model in continuing the technological advances and maintain our city's position as an innovation and technology hub.'
Outstanding undergraduates in physics and engineering at the university he led as vice-chancellor from 1987 to 1996 will have the chance to benefit from overseas exchange and research internships backed by a new Charles K. Kao Scholarship Endowment Fund announced yesterday.
Making his first public appearance in the city since he was awarded the Nobel Prize in December, Kao flashed his trademark toothy smile throughout the ceremony.
Speaking on behalf of her Alzheimer's-afflicted husband, Gwen Wong May-wan said: 'Without optical fibres we would not have the internet, e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, all these that were created by brilliant minds.
'The evolution has not ceased. Some amongst our young students here in Hong Kong may well create yet more new designs beyond our dreams. We need to watch out and give them room to develop.'
She urged the public to join the 'Walk with Professor Kao' walkathon on the campus on March 14 to support the scholarship fund and a programme to provide online training for caregivers of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
'As a caregiver myself, I know it's a very stressful job that needs outside support,' Wong said. 'The services [for caregivers of dementia patients] are very inadequate in Hong Kong.'
More than 200 guests and dignitaries, including fellow Nobel laureates Yang Chen-ning and James Mirrlees, who are Chinese University distinguished professors-at-large, were at the ceremony, which drew reporters from more than 70 media organisations.
Vice-chancellor-designate Professor Joseph Sung Jao-yiu said the university would set up a fund named after Kao to support research into Alzheimer's Disease.
'I will meet Mrs Kao later to talk about it. We haven't decided whether to use the Nobel prize money for the fund. It will be for research on treatment and prevention for the disease.
'The idea is in a preliminary stage. We are holding discussions with geriatricians and neurological doctors.'
Pro-vice-chancellor Professor Kenneth Young says Kao still remembers the idyllic scenery at Chinese University's campus: 'I ate breakfast with him overlooking Tolo Harbour. When he saw Ma On Shan, he said it was very beautiful.'
The exhibition 'Lore of a Laureate: A Tribute to Charles Kao' highlights his achievements and features 18 of his prizes, including the Nobel medal, as well as congratulatory letters from world leaders and household utensils made by Kao, who is a potter in his spare time. It runs until March 20 at the university's library.
