Celebrating Research Excellence: The Madam Kwok Chung Bo Fun PhD Student Research Excellence Awards 2026/27

At Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), pursuing a doctorate goes far beyond academic study—it is about shaping future trailblazers, fostering deep collaboration, and driving tangible societal impact. These values took centre stage at the Madam Kwok Chung Bo Fun PhD Student Research Excellence Awards 2026/27 on 8 October 2026, where six exceptional scholars presented trailblazing innovations designed to address real-world challenges, bringing together academic leaders, supervisors and students.

 

Group photo of the six outstanding awardees, their respective principal supervisors, faculty deans and representatives

 

Opening Perspectives & Institutional Vision

Reflecting on the university's milestone anniversary and ongoing mission, Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of the Graduate School, highlighted the deep commitment to developing visionary leaders:

"At Hong Kong Baptist University, our mission is to develop visionary researchers who are ready to address the complex challenges of a rapidly changing world. For us, true academic success reaches far beyond published findings—it lies in the transformative growth of our students, empowering them to become impactful leaders and committed contributors to society."

Professor Lyu also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Madam Kwok Chung Bo Fun Charitable Fund for its enduring generosity and multi-year support, which continues to empower research postgraduates to push boundaries and turn bold ideas into tangible real-world impact.

 

Welcoming Remark by Professor Lyu, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of the Graduate School

 

Research Showcase
The presentations by the six nominees reflect a diverse range of scholarly inquiry, spanning AI-driven aptamer discovery for precision targeting, selective organic photodetectors, video-conferencing security, human-GenAI relational dynamics, role-play methodologies for youth resilience, and digital-age cultural accessibility.

The final results were determined through a comprehensive two-stage assessment framework. First, an evaluation panel from the Research Postgraduate Studies Committee conducted a thorough review of the nominees' academic applications and supporting documentation, accounting for 60% of the total score. The remaining 40% was determined through an on-site audience voting process, where attendees casted votes for their favourite presentations. This dual-component scoring model balanced rigorous faculty assessment with active community engagement.

 

  

  

Oral presentations by the six outstanding nominees from each faculty/school

Cultivating a Vibrant Research Community

More than just a formal prize presentation, the gathering acted as a dynamic hub for knowledge exchange. The integration of a poster exhibition and interactive networking sessions allowed attendees to dive deep into the awardees’ methodologies and findings. This lively environment highlighted HKBU’s thriving intellectual culture, reinforcing its mission to mentor the next wave of visionary researchers and thought leaders. The ceremony culminated in the recognition of six outstanding students whose high-impact publications and compelling presentations embodied the university’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence. 

 

Prize presentation by Professor Lyu to all six winners

 

Award Category	Awardee & Faculty/School	Presentation Title
Champion	Ms. GAO Yuekun School of Business	Zoombombing: When Video‑Conferencing Events Become Suitable Targets for Disruption
1st Runner-Up	Mr. YANG Xin School of Chinese Medicine	Advancing AI-Driven Rapid Discovery of Aptamers for Precision Protein Targeting
2nd Runner-Up	Mr. GAN Hongyuan School of Communication	Within and Beyond the Human-GenAI Relational Dyad: From Algorithmic Intimacy to Networks of Support
3rd Runner-Up (in alphabetical order)	Mr. CHEUNG Cho Ho, Yves Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences	Role-play Game for Enhancing Resilience: A Scientific Solution for Youth Whole Person Development
	Ms. LIU Yufei School of Creative Arts	Jazz in the Digital Age: Rethinking Access, Opportunity, and Belonging
	Mr. TANG Yu Faculty of Science and Technology	Specially Selective Organic Photodetectors and Application