"Academicians on Campus" : Professor C.C. Chan Inspires Students' Passion for Energy Innovation at St. Stephen's Girls' College

2025-11-20

On the afternoon of November 19, The Great Bay Area Association of Academicians (GBAAA) extended its "Academicians on Campus" initiative to St. Stephen's Girls' College. The event featured a special guest—Professor C.C. Chan, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Distinguished Chair Professor of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Honorary Professor of The University of Hong Kong, and Founder and Rotating President of the World Electric Vehicle Association. Professor Chan visited the campus to share his interdisciplinary research journey with over 300 teachers and students, delivering a talk titled "Aspiring High, Scaling New Heights—The New Journey of Energy and Electric Vehicle Revolutions." He provided an in-depth analysis of cutting-edge trends in the energy and electric vehicle revolutions, while also passing on the scientific spirit and the ethos of innovation.

(Professor C.C. Chan at St. Stephen's Girls' College)

Professor Chan began by reflecting on his academic journey through a collection of precious historical photographs. He shared with students the perseverance and passion behind scientific exploration, emphasising the importance of lifelong learning for researchers. Taking "Scientific Iteration and the Evolution of Human Civilisation" as a starting point, he illustrated the progressive development from agricultural to industrial and then to digital economies through vivid examples. He elucidated the iterative logic of science—"bold hypothesis → validation → theory → practice → theory → practice"—highlighting the need for continuous questioning and reshaping. He explained that science is about truth and laws, driven by the question "Why?" . A scientist’s mission is to explore the laws of nature for the benefit of all humanity. Engineering, on the other hand, combines science, technology, and management, requiring the integration of government, industry, academia, research, application, and finance to bring projects to fruition—it answers the question "How?". When discussing new quality productive forces, Professor Chan explained in simple terms that it involves replacing the "old three highs"—high input, high consumption, and high emissions—with the "new three highs": high technology, high efficiency, and high quality. He also shared his "Four Elements of Success"—goal, courage, method, and condition—encouraging students to cultivate critical thinking and independent reasoning, and to boldly explore uncharted territories in science.

The lecture was lively and engaging, addressing topics that included the synergy between AI and renewable energy, innovations in electric vehicles, and how young people can contribute to a green future. Professor Chan listened attentively to the students' questions and, drawing from his experience in cross-institutional research and international collaboration, broke down complex concepts into easily understandable language. He emphasised the belief that "While science itself is borderless, scientists are citizens of their nations," encouraging students to build a solid foundation, broaden their horizons, and seek innovative directions at the intersection of science and society.

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About the GBAAA "Academicians on Campus" Initiative

As a key platform for nurturing innovation and technology talent in the Great Bay Area, the GBAAA "Academicians on Campus" initiative regularly invites academicians from both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering to visit schools. Through lectures and face-to-face exchanges, these distinguished scientists disseminate scientific knowledge and inspire young minds with the spirit of scientific inquiry. The program not only allows students to experience the excellence of top scientists up close but also deepens their understanding of the nation's achievements in areas such as the energy revolution and automotive innovation. It helps broaden their perspectives on cutting-edge technology, fosters confidence in innovation, and cultivates a new generation of talent to support the development of the Greater Bay Area as an international centre for innovation and technology.