HK scientist dedicated to research sees formula for progress

Being the dean of the Faculty of Engineering and then vice-president of the university, Wai worked to vigorously expand opportunities for scientific research at the polytechnic university. He saw a future in tapping into the science and technology development of the nation and helped researchers of the university build partnerships with various institutions in the Chinese mainland.

Wai once played a leading role in facilitating the cooperation between a research team led by Yung Kaileung, a professor of the polytechnic university in precision engineering, and the China Academy of Space Technology.

Since 2010, Wai's university has been contributing to the nation's space projects and is by far the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with experience in international space missions.

After more than two decades at the university, Wai transferred to the Hong Kong Baptist University, a university known for its humanities and fine arts education, and was appointed as the president.

"Cultural soft power is just as important as hard science for national development," says Wai.

He says that stories about the deep and profound Chinese culture and the Chinese path to modernization are worth sharing with the world, noting that the humanities and arts disciplines have an edge in telling those stories.

Working with his colleagues, Wai has been busy promoting the application of digital tools in humanities and arts education.

From Wai's perspective, Hong Kong is a highly international city, and young people in Hong Kong have an advantage in telling the China story to the world.

"This is an opportunity that national development brings to Hong Kong's youth," Wai says.