HKU Co-hosts "The Nobel Heroes Forum: Shaping Science and Future" Convene World-Leading Minds to Forge Next Era of Discovery

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings co-hosted "The Nobel Heroes Forum: Shaping Science and Future" recently, convening six Nobel laureates for thought-provoking discussions on how fundamental research drives progress in science, technology, health, and the global economy. Held at the Grand Hall of the Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre on the Centennial Campus, the forum drew an audience of over 800 participants, fostering interdisciplinary exchange among some of the world’s most distinguished scientific minds.

Held at the Grand Hall of the Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre on the Centennial Campus, the forum drew an audience of over 800 participants.. Photo source: HKU

The forum convened an extraordinary assembly of Nobel laureates: Professor Robert C. Merton, Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences laureate (1997); Professor Louis J. Ignarro, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine laureate (1998); Professor Tim Hunt, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine laureate (2001); Professor Kurt Wüthrich, Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate (2002); Professor Konstantin Novoselov, Nobel Prize in Physics laureate (2010); and Professor Ferenc Krausz, Nobel Prize in Physics laureate (2023) and HKU Chair Professor of Laser Physics. Distinguished attendees included Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU; Dr Peter Wong, Chairman of the HKU Council; Mr Eric Kwok-ki Chan, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Professor James Tang, Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee; and Mr Nikolaus Turner, Executive Director of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.

Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, delivers welcome remarks. Photo source: HKU

Professor Xiang Zhang remarked, “In today’s world, working together in science to achieve shared goals and promote global prosperity is increasingly challenging. We hope that, through the insights of six Nobel laureates, we can learn how to advance fundamental science, translate discoveries into practical applications, and benefit humanity, while navigating different challenges. HKU is committed to playing an important role in bridging international research collaborations. Ultimately, we believe that through mutual cooperation, science can transcend divisions, driving innovation and societal progress for the benefit of all.”

Mr Eric Kwok-ki Chan, Chief Secretary for Administration, delivers his speech at the forum. Photo source: HKU

Mr Eric Chan praised the forum’s role in advancing the Hong Kong’s innovation landscape, “Today’s dialogue is more than an academic event. It is a powerful convergence of the world’s finest scientific minds, right here in a city that is determined to play its part in global innovation. Hong Kong’s mission is clear and unwavering: to become a premier international innovation and technology centre. A hub where top scientists, scholars and entrepreneurs can thrive, collaborate and serve the world. To achieve this, the Government is fully committed. We are building a world-class ecosystem and nurturing the talent to power it.”

Mr Nikolaus Turner, Executive Director of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, delivers his remarks. Photo source: HKU

Mr Nikolaus Turner highlighted the collaboration’s global impact, “We are delighted to bring the Nobel Heroes to Hong Kong. In 2026, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of our meetings in Lindau, Germany. Each year, we welcome outstanding young scientists from Hong Kong—bright minds shaping the future of research. We hope to attract even more talent from Hong Kong while building partnerships to sustain the unique intergenerational exchanges between young researchers and Nobel laureates.”

The first panel discussion, ‘Building the Future: From Molecules to Materials’, was moderated by Professor Xiang Zhang. Photo source: HKU

The forum featured two in-depth panel discussions moderated by HKU’s senior leadership. The first, ‘Building the Future: From Molecules to Materials’, was led by Professor Xiang Zhang and explored how fundamental discoveries in physics and chemistry unlocked new possibilities at the atomic and molecular levels. Panellists included Professors Krausz (Physics, 2023), Novoselov (Physics, 2010), and Wüthrich (Chemistry, 2002), who discussed topics ranging from visualising ultrafast atomic processes to engineering revolutionary materials with transformative applications.

The second discussion, ‘Decoding Complexity: Regulating Systems from the Cell to the Global Economy’, moderated by Professor Richard Wong, HKU Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Photo source: HKU

The second discussion, ‘Decoding Complexity: Regulating Systems from the Cell to the Global Economy’, moderated by Professor Richard Wong, HKU Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, examined universal principles governing complex systems across biology and finance. Professors Ignarro (Physiology/Medicine, 1998), Merton (Economic Sciences, 1997), and Hunt (Physiology/Medicine, 2001) highlighted striking parallels in how feedback mechanisms maintain stability—whether in cellular processes or financial markets.

Professor Xiang Zhang and six Nobel Laureates. Photo source: HKU

The Forum underscored HKU’s commitment to advancing knowledge for the betterment of society, while reinforcing the vital role of basic research in addressing global challenges. The Forum was also made possible through the support of Laureates City Holdings Limited, Red Carpet Investments Limited, and Sunwah Kingsway Capital Holdings Limited, whose contributions were instrumental in bringing this prestigious event to fruition.

Distinguished guests and the Nobel Laureates. Photo source: HKU

STAVANGER, Norway (AP) — Jeffrey Epstein repeatedly played up his ties to the former head of the Nobel Peace Prize committee in invitations to and chats with elites like Richard Branson, Larry Summers, Bill Gates and Steve Bannon, a top ally of President Donald Trump, the Epstein files show.

Thorbjørn Jagland, who headed the Norwegian Nobel Committee from 2009 to 2015, turns up hundreds of times in the millions of documents about the former U.S. financier and convicted sex offender that were released by the U.S. Justice Department last month.

Since the release, Jagland, 75, has been charged in Norway for “aggravated corruption” in connection with an investigation prompted by information in the files, the economic crime unit of Norwegian police Økokrim said.

Økokrim has said it would investigate whether gifts, travel and loans were received in connection with Jagland’s position. Its teams searched his Oslo residence on Thursday, plus two other properties in Risør, a coastal town to the south, and in Rauland to the west.

His attorneys at Elden law firm in Norway said Jagland denies the charges, and was questioned by the police unit on Thursday.

While there is no evidence in the documents seen so far of any outright lobbying for the Nobel Peace Prize, Epstein repeatedly played up hosting Jagland at his properties in New York and Paris in the 2010s.

In September 2018, during Trump’s first term and in an apparent allusion to his interest in the peace prize, Epstein had a varied text-message exchange with Bannon, at one point writing — in one of many messages with untidy grammar: “donalds head would explode if he knew you were now buds with the guy who on monday will decide the nobel peace prize.”

“I told him next year it should be you when we settle china,” he added, without elaborating.

In one email from 2013, mixing in investment tips and praise for PR tips, Epstein told British entrepreneur and magnate Richard Branson that Jagland would be staying with Epstein in September that year, adding: “if you are there, you might find him interesting.”

A year after she left a job as White House counsel to President Barack Obama, in 2015, Kathy Ruemmler got an email from Epstein saying: "head of nobel peace prize coming to visit, want to join?"

In 2012, Epstein wrote former Treasury Secretary and Harvard University president Larry Summers about Jagland, saying “head of the nobel peace prize staying with me, if you have any interest.”

In that exchange, Epstein referred to Jagland — also a former Norwegian prime minister and former head of the Council of Europe, a human rights body — as “not bright” but someone who offered a “unique perspective.”

The financier wrote Bill Gates in 2014, saying that Jagland had been reelected as head of the Council of Europe.

“That is good,” the Microsoft co-founder and formerly the world's richest man, wrote. “I guess his peace prize committee job is also up in the air?”

During Jagland's tenure as chair of the committee, it gave the peace prize to Obama, in 2009, and the European Union in 2012.

Jagland was brought into Epstein’s orbit by Terje Rød Larsen, a Norwegian diplomat who helped broker the Oslo Peace Accords between Israel and Palestinians.

Larsen and his wife are also facing corruption charges in Norway due to their association with Epstein.

Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.

The AP is reviewing the documents released by the Justice Department in collaboration with journalists from CBS, NBC, MS NOW and CNBC. Journalists from each newsroom are working together to examine the files and share information about what is in them. Each outlet is responsible for its own independent news coverage of the documents.

FILE - Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Thorbjorn Jagland announces the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, at the Nobel Institute in Oslo, Friday Oct. 11, 2013. (Heiko Junge/NTB Scanpix via AP, File)