HONG KONG, October 16 — Professors Michael Ng and Cecilia Chan from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) have been awarded the 10th Outstanding Achievement Award in Scientific Research in Higher Education Institutions (Humanities and Social Sciences) by China’s Ministry of Education (MoE). Professor Cecilia Chan, from the Faculty of Education, received the third-class award in Educational Science Research for her paper titled ‘A comprehensive AI policy education framework for university teaching and learning’.
The study, which used a mixed-methods approach, collected data from students, faculty, and staff across various disciplines in Hong Kong universities. The paper proposed an AI ecosystem education policy framework covering teaching, governance, and operations to guide stakeholders on AI integration in academic environments.
Professor Michael Ng, Associate Dean (Research and Institutional Advancement) at the Faculty of Law, HKU, received the Popular Science Publication Award in the Law category for his work ‘Political Censorship in British Hong Kong: Freedom of Expression and the Law (1842–1997)’. The publication, grounded in declassified records, argues that Hong Kong’s freedom of speech and judicial independence are not derived from British legal traditions but emerged from specific historical circumstances shaped by British policies toward China during the colonial era.
The Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Humanities and Social Sciences) were established by the MoE in 1995 to recognize outstanding research in humanities and social sciences at tertiary institutions in mainland China. Hong Kong’s institutions were later included in the scheme.
The award is described as the most reputable and influential accolade in the social sciences field in China, signifying significant contributions to research and development in higher education. Prof Chan and Prof Ng expressed gratitude for the awards. Prof Chan emphasized that education must help shape AI’s future amid excitement and uncertainty, and that her framework supports innovation with trust, accountability, and meaningful learning.
Prof Ng noted that law and history share a commitment to factual evidence and that understanding the past is essential for guiding the future. Media contact for HKU is Jaymee Ng at [email protected]. The information is copyrighted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as of 2026.
