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Three scientific research projects conducted by researchers from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have received Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Science and Technology) 2022 from the Ministry of Education (MOE), including a first-class and two second-class awards in natural sciences. CUHK was the leading local higher education institution in terms of the number of awards.

CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rocky S. Tuan said, “I am thrilled to learn that three research projects at CUHK have received the MOE Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards. Winning the most awards among local higher education institutions is far from easy. We are grateful to MOE for the recognition of the accomplishments of CUHK scientists, showing their efforts and capabilities are appreciated. I am very proud of their achievements and warmly congratulate all members of the research teams. Their contribution gives us great encouragement to continue achieving excellence in scientific research and technological innovations that will impact society and the world.”

The project given the first-class award in Natural Sciences is “The Composition Characteristics, Mechanisms, Early Diagnosis, and Prevention of Gut Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer”, led by Professor Yu Jun, Professor of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics and Assistant Dean (Mainland Affairs) at the Faculty of Medicine. The two projects given the second-class award in Natural Sciences are “Artificial Intelligence for Medical Image Analysis and its Clinical Applications”, led by Professor Heng Pheng-ann, Director of Institute of Medical Intelligence and XR and Professor of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering; and “Molecular mechanisms and physiological functions of vacuolar degradation pathways in plants”, a collaborative research led by Professor Jiang Liwen, Choh-Ming Li Professor of Life Sciences and director of the Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology, CUHK, and Dr Gao Caiji from South China Normal University.

About the Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards

The Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Science and Technology) were set up by the MOE to recognise outstanding research projects at tertiary institutions in mainland China. Since 2009, Hong Kong’s tertiary institutions have been included in the scheme. The award is presented to individuals or units who have made remarkable contributions in scientific discovery, technological innovation, science and technology advancement, and implementation of patented technologies. The Natural Science Award honours researchers who have made discoveries in natural science and applied science. The Science and Technology Progress Award honours research achievements in applied technologies from natural science that have made creative contributions, or individuals or units who have made important contributions to national security.