Lingnan University confers honorary doctorate degrees on Prof Yau Shing-tung and Prof Nieng Yan, and Prof Yau describes his scientific journey at the University Assembly
Lingnan University confers honorary doctorate degrees on Prof Yau Shing-tung (front right), and Prof Nieng Yan (front left).
Lingnan University hosts the Honorary Doctorate Conferment Ceremony 2024.
Prof Yau Shing-tung (middle)
Prof Nieng Yan (middle)
At the Honorary Doctorate Conferment Ceremony 2024 on 5 December 2024, Lingnan University conferred two honorary degrees in recognition of outstanding professional achievements and valuable contributions to society. Renowned mathematician Prof Yau Shing-tung（丘成桐教授）received a Doctor of Science, honoris causa, and distinguished structural biologist Prof Nieng Yan（顏寧教授）received a Doctor of Science, honoris causa.
Prof Nieng Yan thanks Lingnan University for their recognition on behalf of both Honorary Doctors.
On behalf of them both, Prof Nieng Yan expressed deep gratitude to Lingnan University for this recognition. She added that Lingnan University’s dedication to cultivating well-rounded, socially conscious graduates is a powerful model for our times.
Prof Yan encouraged young scholars, saying “My hope is for young scientists, driven by intrinsic curiosity rather than external pressures, to discover and unlock their full potential, making original and transformative contributions.”
Prof Yau Shing-tung presides over the University Assembly and describes his scientific pursuits and research.
Prof Yau Shing-tung presides over the University Assembly.
President S. Joe Qin (right) presents a souvenir to Prof Yau Shing-tung (left).
Lingnan also hosted the University Assembly in the morning, presided over by Prof Yau Shing-tung. Its theme was The Beauty of Mathematics, and Prof Yau talked to the faculty and students about unravelling the mysteries of mathematics, captivating his audience by his descriptions of the beauty, joy, and applications of mathematics.
Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing of Lingnan University, hosted a conversation with Prof Yau, where students and teachers asked questions, and created a lively atmosphere of discussion, showing Lingnan’s vibrant environment of academic exchange. Prof Yau said that the beauty of mathematics comes from a profound understanding of nature, and encouraged young researchers to delve deeper into advanced scientific studies and explore unknown realms.
Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu (left) hosts a conversation with Prof Yau (right), along with the students and teachers.
Later that evening, at the dinner in honour of Honorary Graduates, Prof Yau said “I’m confident in a few years’ time we will be able to revolutionise AI (artificial intelligence) in China using our own way, not following what they’re doing outside China, in America or Europe.”
Prof Yan shared commonalities between them, saying “Prof Yau and I all spent quite some time in Princeton, we are both professors in Tsinghua University, and now we are alumni of Lingnan University. ‘Once a Lingnanian, forever a Lingnanian.’"
