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The Areas of Excellence (AoE) scheme was launched by the University Grants Committee (UGC) in 1997 to provide a platform to nurture areas of international excellence through high-quality research and inter-institutional collaboration.
Of the 15 AoE projects awarded to date by the UGC, HKU has co-ordinated 8 and has participated in a further 5 co-ordinated by other local institutions.
Ongoing
The
Institute of Molecular Technology for Drug Discovery and
Synthesis
This AoE combines the expertise of leading academics with
high international repute in chemistry and life sciences.
The mission is to implement world-class science and technology
in the area of drug discovery and synthesis.
Project Coordinator: Professor C.M. Che, Department of Chemistry
(cmche@hku.hk)
Centre
for Marine Environmental Research and Innovative Technology
This AoE conducts research to develop innovative technologies
for early detection, assessment, prediction and control
of impacts arising from hypoxia (low oxygen), endocrine
disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and emerging chemicals of concern
(ECCs) in the marine environment.
Project Coordinator: Professor S.S. Wu, School of Biological
Sciences (rudolfwu@hku.hk)
Developmental
Genomics and Skeletal Research
Skeletal disorders are one of the world's most serious health
problems, causing long-term pain and physical disability
for hundreds of millions of people and impacting on the
quality of life as we age. Therefore, understanding skeletal
disorders is of enormous health, social, and economic importance.
Project Coordinator: Professor K.S.E. Cheah, Department
of Biochemistry (hrmbdkc@hku.hk)
Control
of Pandemic and Inter-pandemic Influenza
The overarching goal is to enhance public and animal health
by developing a multi-disciplinary influenza research programme
of international excellence through the integration of basic,
clinical, and epidemiological research spanning the animal-human
interface.
Project Coordinator: Professor J.S.M. Peiris, School of
Public Health (malik@hkucc.hku.hk)
Center
for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Research
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a cancer of particular
relevance to Hong Kong because of its high incidence among
Southern Chinese and its rarity elsewhere in the world.
This AoE team seeks to better understand the molecular and
genetic mechanisms of this cancer to enable early diagnosis
and new improved treatment options; and aims to study its
epidemiology in order to identify preventable risk factors.
Project Coordinator: Professor M.L. Lung, Department of
Clinical Oncology (mlilung@hku.hk)
Institute
of Molecular Functional Materials
The AoE aims to bring together inter-institutional efforts
from the area of synthetic, polymer, material and physical
chemistry, and interdisciplinary expertise through national/international
collaboration in physics and device engineering towards
developing an international eminent research centre in the
area of molecular functional materials towards addressing
energy-related issues.
Project Coordinator: Professor V.W.W. Yam, Department of
Chemistry (wwyam@hku.hk)
Theory,
Modeling, and Simulation of Emerging Electronics
This AoE aims to develop next generation multi-scale electronic
design automation (EDA) tools that combine the atomistic
simulation of individual devices, the coarse-grained modeling
of integrated circuitries and simulation of electric signals
propagation and interference.
Project Coordinator: Professor F.C. Zhang, Department of
Physics (fuchun@hkucc.hku.hk)
Completed
The
Hong Kong Institute of Economic and Business Strategy
The Institute has gained a reputation as the premier research
centre for economic policy and business strategy in Hong
Kong, especially among local policy-makers. The AoE project
completed in 2006; however, the work of the Institute has
been continuing, pursuing its mission and objectives.
Project Coordinator: Professor R.Y.C. Wong, School of Economics
and Finance (rycwong@hku.hk)
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