Ophthalmology Pioneer Professor So Kwok-fai Announced as Distinguished Honorary Professor at EdUHK Scientific and Research Learning for Youth Series Launch
To strengthen STEAM education for primary and secondary school students in Hong Kong and to foster research collaboration and exchange between Mainland China and Hong Kong, The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) has launched the “Scientific and Research Learning for Youth: Popular Science Series” by providing lectures by distinguished guests, holding a variety of hands-on courses, training camps, and symposiums. The inaugural symposium took place on 18 January 2025, and featured Professor So Kwok-fai, academician, pioneer in the field of axonal regeneration in the visual system and the first scientist to discover the regeneration of the optic nerve. He shared his experiences and scientific journey with around 200 secondary school teachers and students, as well as EdUHK students. At the launch, EdUHK was honoured to announce the appointment of Professor So as a Distinguished Honorary Professor, to promote research collaboration and innovative development with the University.
Professor So is Director of the GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration at Jinan University in Guangzhou, China; and Chair of Anatomy in the State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Sciences in the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Department of Ophthalmology, Jessie Ho Professor in Neuroscience, at The University of Hong Kong. He is also the Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of ChinaSCINet, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, fellow of the US National Academy of Inventors, and fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He has made significant contributions to research on the protection and regeneration of the optic nerve and spinal cord, and has published over 500 papers, holding 46 patents.
In his welcome remarks, President of EdUHK, Professor John Lee Chi-Kin said that STEAM represented a new trend in global education. It integrates daily life and practice in an interesting and diverse way to enhance students' abilities in cross-curricular learning, creative thinking, critical analysis, logical problem-solving, and teamwork.
“I would like to thank Professor So and his scientific research team for their support of the Scientific and Research Learning for Youth: Popular Science Series, which inspires primary and secondary school students in Hong Kong to explore science and broaden their horizons. I hope that this project will ignite everyone's interest and enthusiasm for science, cultivate curiosity and a positive attitude, foster mutual inspiration and benefit. We also hope that Professor So will engage in new collaborations and developments in research with colleagues from EdUHK and external experts,” Professor Lee added.
Professor So delivered a symposium titled "Lifestyle and Mental Health", during which he urged the audience to prioritise mental health. “Mental health is of paramount importance to our well-being. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, it is crucial that we prioritise mental health as an integral part of our lifestyle, just as we do with our physical health,” he said. The symposium was followed by a question-and-answer session about scientific exploration, and Professor So shared his experiences in academic and scientific research.
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