A Personal Perspective on Doing Good Research Seminar Series – Prof Jean-Michel Henri Olivier Morel: Reviving printed heritage as digital treasure

The sixth session of the A Personal Perspective on Doing Good Research Seminar Series for the 2025/26 academic year, organised by the School of Graduate Studies of Lingnan University, was held on 5 March 2026. The seminar included an inspiring talk “Can Old Books Be Brought Back to Life?” by Prof Jean-Michel Henri Olivier Morel, Chair Professor of the Division of Industrial Data Science, attended by about 50 faculty members and students, which sparked great interest and discussion.

Prof Morel began as a mathematics teaching assistant at the University of Marseille, and obtained his doctorate from Sorbonne University in 1985. Before joining Lingnan, he held chair professorships in applied mathematics at Paris Sciences & Lettres University, Paris‑Saclay University and City University of Hong Kong.

Having trained as a pure mathematician, Prof Morel soon developed an interest in computer vision and artificial intelligence, specialising in the mathematical formalisation of visual perception. His work has produced image‑processing and image‑analysis algorithms implemented in a wide range of imaging systems, including earth‑observation satellites, medical‑imaging devices, industrial cameras and mobile phones.

In his talk, Prof Morel discussed advanced techniques for digitally extracting, recognising, and restoring printed characters from scanned documents into printable formats. He reported on experiments on scanned images, describing techniques rooted in the mathematical theory of planar shapes, computer vision, and computer graphics to recover fine textual details while preserving the visual integrity of historical documents. This aims to contribute to the history of printing by developing shape dictionaries for Chinese characters and reviving neglected books of great interest, making them accessible in the digital era.

There was a lively discussion with Prof Morel after the presentation, exploring topics such as the application of artificial intelligence in research, and his move from pure mathematics to data science. He encouraged attendees to embrace innovation, saying “Try something new. Strive to make the world better. As for whether it leads to good research, only time will tell.” His insights inspired many to consider an interdisciplinary approach to their own work.

Wang Jun, a student in the Doctor of Business Administration in the Global Digital Economy and Governance programme, found the seminar very valuable, and said “This technology can improve Optical Character Recognition (OCR) accuracy and efficiency, as well as contribute to cultural preservation and document security. It made me realise that effective technology should solve real problems and create genuine value.” The talk also inspired him to focus more on practical applications in his studies.

The A Personal Perspective on Doing Good Research Seminar Series invites senior university management and leading scholars to discuss their research and perspective, and initiates in-depth exchanges among doctoral students, early-career researchers, and academics on how to conduct the best research.

The next seminar will be held on 9 April 2026, and will feature Prof Song Yongduan, Dean of the School of Data Science and Henry Y. W. Fong Chair Professor of Industrial Data Science, who will lecture on “My Research Journey: Self-confidence and Hard Work are the Twin Pillars of Good Research”, highlighting the vital relationship between the confidence and dedication in successful research, which has worked for him.