To celebrate the 75th anniversary and showcase the vision of holistic education through disseminating knowledge and promoting physical, mental, and spiritual health, Chung Chi College (CCC) organised the “Excellence Talk Series,” inviting outstanding scholars from various fields to share their experiences and insights on key issues. The series consists of four themes, with the opening lecture on 7 February themed “Health Insights,” featuring two internationally renowned scholars: Professor Lo Yuk Ming Dennis, CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President and Professor Mok Chung Tong Vincent, Master of S.H. Ho College, as keynote speakers.

Building New Defenses Against Cancer

There are two sessions in the lecture. The morning session was delivered by CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Lo Yuk Ming Dennis, who is also Li Ka Shing Professor of Medicine and Professor of Chemical Pathology at CUHK. Professor Lo delivered the talk “Building New Defenses Against Cancer,” presenting his groundbreaking research achievements in early cancer detection and diagnosis, which have opened an entirely new frontier for prevention and treatment of the disease.

Before starting the lecture, Professor Lo, together with Professor Kwan Mei Po, Head of CCC, Professor Ko Wing Hung, Chair of the CCC 75th Anniversary Celebration Organising Committee, and Mr. Chan Cho Biu Eric, Chair of the CCC 75th Anniversary Excellence Talk Series Committee, performed a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially launch the talk series.

Professor Lo spoke about his research journey, including how he spent years verifying the hypothesis that fetal DNA would flow into pregnant mother’s bloodstream, and invented non-invasive prenatal testing which is widely used globally. He also shared his research experience on nasopharyngeal cancer and the application of liquid biopsy for cancer screening. He then generously delivered his entrepreneurial experiences, including establishing research companies to transform patented research outcomes for clinical use.

During the Q&A session, Professor Lo answered audience questions, covering trends and potential in liquid biopsy development, applications of artificial intelligence in research, and nurturing local research talent. He highlighted the “Global Physician-Leadership Stream” established by CUHK Faculty of Medicine, emphasizing the University focus on training “physician-scientists” who understand both medical needs and cutting-edge research.

The commemorative gift of a Chinese folding fan, which Professor Kwan presented to Professor Dennis Lo, featured calligraphy by the late Professor Jao Tsung-i.

Strategies for Preventing Dementia

The afternoon session was delivered by Master of S.H. Ho College, Mok Hing Yiu Professor of Medicine in the Division of Neurology within the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Co-Director of the Charles Kao CUHK BEAT AD Service Professor Mok Chung Tong Vincent, sharing the latest developments in dementia research and effective prevention strategies to encourage the audience to protect brain health and cognitive function from an early stage.

Professor Mok began with the famous U.S. research Nun Study, pointing out the link between Brain Small Vessel Disease and Dementia, and how it inspired him to focus on dementia prevention research and contribute to neuroimaging standards for research into small vessel disease. He then explained the 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia, illustrating how people can prevent the disease through health management.

Professor Mok also discussed the origins of CUHK’s “BEAT-AD” program, recounting how, at the request of Mrs. Gwen Kao (wife of former CUHK Vice-Chancellor the late Professor Charles Kao), he utilised the retired “Jockey Club Charles Kao Brain Health Service” mobile service vehicle parked at Chung Chi to promote brain health services. Thanks to generous support from Dr. Brigitte Lin Ching Hsia, Professor Mok’s team was able to conduct fundus photography screening through the vehicle to eligible elderly individuals, rapidly assessing their dementia risk and offering advice and follow-up, thereby delaying disease onset or even reducing cases.

Professor Kwan presented the Chinese folding fan to Professor Vincent Mok, and the other side of it features an oil painting depicting the campus scenery of the 1960s.

Embodying Holistic Education Promoting Open Exchange

The “Excellence Talk Series” is one of the key events celebrating Chung Chi’s 75th anniversary. The College meticulously designed various elements to enhance the experience for speakers and the audience, while showcasing Chung Chi’s adherence to holistic education, balancing innovation encouragement with humanistic care.

The stage of Lee Hysan Concert Hall, where the Talk Series took place, was decorated as a cozy living room to visualise the image of “Chung Chi family” and convey the College’s openness to forging friendships and exchanges. The commemorative gifts presented to the speakers were 75th anniversary “In Pursuit of Excellence” Chinese folding fans, with printed calligraphy that written by the late Master Professor Jao Tsung-i, embodying the humanistic inheritance within Chung Chi and CUHK.

Additionally, to coincide with the series launch, the College announced a new Podcast channel “Excellence Academy” on the lecture day. Professor Wong Nim Yan from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature and Associate Head of Chung Chi College, will host the channel and conduct approximately a 20-minute interview in every episode, featuring Chung Chi members from different generations and disciplines sharing experiences and insights. The debut episode featured Mr. Chan Cho Biu Eric, Vice-Chairman of Chung Chi College Board of Trustees and veteran journalist, analysing trends in journalism and news editing in the AI era, as well as advanced methods of news reading.

(Left) Professor Dennis Lo explained his research experiences on non-invasive prenatal testing and liquid biopsy for cancer screening; (Right) Professor Vincent Mok expressed that dementia is preventable and encouraged the audience to take early action through health management.

Gathering Outstanding Speakers Converging Insights and Knowledge

The “Excellence Talk Series” will host three more talks in the future. On 11 April, themed “Prosperous Aging”, will be delivered by Dr. Chan Tak Lam Norman, Chairman of Chung Chi College Board of Trustees and Professor Lin Zhixiu, Director of CUHK School of Chinese Medicine. They will unpack secrets to a healthy and affluent later life.

On 25 April, the renowned actor and writer Dr. Brigitte Lin Ching Hsia will deliver a talk on the theme “Inspiring Minds”, sharing how she has captured the beautiful scenery along life’s journey, with Professor Serena Jin Sheng Hwa, the Emeritus Professor of Translation, CUHK, hosts the talk.

The 11 July lecture, themed “Innovating the Future”, will feature Professor Chiu Wai Yan Philip, Dean of CUHK Faculty of Medicine, and Professor Chia Pun Kok Herbert, Director of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited who earned the reputation “Father of Big Data in Hong Kong”. They will introduce breakthroughs in medical engineering and artificial intelligence to showcase future possibilities for human society.

Besides the “Excellence Talk Series”, the College will organise more academic events and gatherings for the 75th anniversary, demonstrating the closeness of the Chung Chi family and the constant advancement of Chung Chi education.