HKUST MPhil student of Physics Tsui Lok Man became the only candidate from Hong Kong to have won a fully-funded scholarship for the Perimeter Scholars International (PSI) program, a 10-month concentrated Master degree program jointly organized by the world-renowned Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PITP) and the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.
For this honor, Lok Man has to compete against 200 international applicants, becoming one of 25 eventual scholarship winners from 15 countries/regions for this inaugural program. Due to start in August 2009, the program aims to attract budding physicists from around the world and nurturing them to become theoretical Physics researchers contributing to future cutting-edge discoveries.
Lok Man is elated by his success, “I am excited at being offered this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from some of the world’s most celebrated Physicists, ” he said. Through this program he hopes to develop better understanding in two areas of Physics of interest to him – String Theory and Quantum Gravity – leading to the identification of research topics for later studies.
“I feel tremendously indebted to the professors at HKUST especially Physics Professors Yang Zhiyu and Szeto Kwok Yip. Prof Yang coached us to take part in various Physics Olympiad tournaments. Without his guidance we would not have fared so well in the tournaments. Prof Szeto has given me invaluable advice in my undergraduate research project. I thank them and all other professors for the learning opportunities offered and the wise consul and advice given,” said Lok Man.
The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics was founded 10 years ago as a leading centre in theoretical physics. It provides a multi-disciplinary environment for fostering scientific collaboration in research areas of cosmology, particle physics, quantum foundations, quantum gravity, quantum information, superstring theory and related disciplines.
The center is staffed by an award-winning faculty and 10 Distinguished Research Chairs, including eminent physicists who have made significant contribution to some of the most exciting research areas in Physics. Its glittering faculty includes Prof Stephen Hawking of University of Cambridge, Wolf Prize Winner Yakir Aharonov of Chapman University in the States, and Xiao-Gang Wen of MIT, some of them will be involved in teaching the Perimeter Scholars International Program.
Currently an MPhil student in Physics at HKUST, Lok Man is a first-class-honour graduate in Physics and Mathematics. Admitted through the Early Admissions Scheme in 2005, he impressed HKUST’s Admission Panel with his precocious ability in Physics, amply demonstrated in his performances at various Physics Olympiad tournaments. He was crowned the gold medal in the 2005 International Physics Olympiad held in Spain involving student representatives from 75 countries/regions.
With this fully funded scholarship, Lok Man will be able to learn and exchange with budding physicists from around the world including Australia, Cameroon, Canada, China, Cuba, France, India, Iran, Ireland, The Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, UK and USA.
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May Cheung
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Email: mccheung@ust.hk
