EdUHK Creates Two New University-Level Research Facilities and Welcomes Five Chair Professors

The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) is committed to nurturing and educating talent in various disciplines and related fields. To continuously enhance its research and teaching capabilities, the University has recently created two new university-level research facilities, which promote interdisciplinary academic research. The University has also appointed five top scholars as chair professors. This move further strengthens EdUHK’s research and teaching expertise in academic fields such as artificial intelligence, biology and neuroscience, early childhood education, curriculum and instruction, learning sciences, and linguistics.
 
The newly established University Research Facility of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (UDSAI) and University Research Facility of Human Behavioural Neuroscience (UHBN) provide state-of-the-art technological platforms for students and research personnel. They foster multidisciplinary collaboration and develop a cross-disciplinary research culture, to help obtain large-scale research grants and produce high-quality research output.
 
The facilities are headed by two leading scholars who have recently joined EdUHK:
 
Professor Ken Yung Kin-lam, Associate Vice President (Research) and Chair Professor of Biology and Neuroscience, is Director of the UHBN. Professor Yung and his team have developed nanomaterial-based technologies for harvesting autologous neural stem cells and devices for cell differentiation, which have won over 50 international innovation awards. Moreover, many of his innovations have been granted patents in mainland China, the United States, Europe, and Hong Kong.

Professor Xu Guandong, Chair Professor of Artificial Intelligence, is the Director of the UDSAI, as well as the Director of the Centre for Learning, Teaching, and Technology. He is a distinguished scientist in data science, artificial intelligence, and social computing, who previously worked at the University of Technology Sydney. His innovative research is widely acclaimed, and he has been consistently listed in the top 2% of the world’s most-cited scientists compiled by Stanford University.
The University has also appointed three distinguished professors; all of whom are leading scholars in their respective fields and have made significant contributions to academic research, profoundly impacting educational development:

Professor Philip Li Hui, Chair Professor of Early Childhood Education, formerly held leadership positions at Shanghai Normal University and Macquarie University in Australia. His research has secured numerous national and international research grants. Since 2021, he has ranked among the World’s Top 2% Scientists by citation, according to Stanford University. He was recognised as Australia’s research field leader in social work (Social Sciences) by The Australian’s 2024 research magazine.

Professor Angel Lin Mei-yi, Chair Professor of Language, Literacy, and Social Semiotics in Education, is a leading scholar in English education and critical literacy. She has more than 100 publications to her credit, and her academic articles have been cited over 11,000 times. Her mentorship has shaped the careers of doctoral students and emerging scholars in Asia and Canada alike.

Professor Looi Chee Kit, Research Chair Professor of Learning Sciences, is an Emeritus Professor at the National Institute of Education of Nanyang Technological University. He is a Fellow of the International Society of the Learning Sciences. His areas of expertise encompass learning sciences, AI in education, and computational thinking. His research has had a significant impact on educational practices.

EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin said, “We are committed to expanding multidisciplinary research and teaching, as well as promoting interdisciplinary knowledge exchange. With the addition of excellent scholars from the fields of artificial intelligence, science and social sciences, the University will continue to lead in the field of education and promote strategic development in related areas.”

EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin (centre) and (from left) Professor Philip Li Hui, Professor Ken Yung Kin-lam, Professor Xu Guandong, and Professor Angel Lin Mei-yi

(From left) Professor Looi Chee Kit, Professor Xu Guandong, Professor Ken Yung Kin-lam and Professor Philip Li Hui