HKUST Provost Prof. GUO Yike Named "Leader of the Year 2024"
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Provost Prof. Yike GUO has been named "Leader of the Year 2024" in the Education/Professional/Technology and Innovation category from Sing Tao News Corporation for his transformative contributions to education and technological innovation in Hong Kong.
The award ceremony, held last Friday, was graced by Mr. Paul CHAN, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government, as the Guest of Honor. The event celebrated outstanding leaders across five categories for their significant contributions to Hong Kong’s development.
Prof. Guo, who also serves as the Director of the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Centre (HKGAI), was honored for his pioneering work in artificial intelligence (AI). Under his leadership, HKGAI has achieved a major breakthrough in local AI innovation by developing Hong Kong’s first large language model (LLM). This milestone was accomplished through full parameter fine-tuning of DeepSeek (an advanced AI chatbot) and continuous training, establishing a new frontier for the region’s AI capabilities.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Guo said it was a profound honour to receive this award, he said, “Leadership, to me, is never about individual success and achievements. This award reflects the collective efforts of the incredible teams that I have worked with at HKUST, HKGAI, and beyond. It is a reminder of our shared responsibility to innovate with purpose and ensure our contributions make a lasting impact on Hong Kong, our nation, and beyond. Together, we strive not only for technological advancements but also to improve lives and create value for society.”
Having arrived in Hong Kong five years ago, Prof. Guo expressed pride in contributing to the city’s growth as a global hub for innovation. “Hong Kong is a unique place where East meets West, and tradition fuels innovation,” he said. “I am especially proud to be part of a community leveraging our strengths to contribute to the nation’s ambitions in technology while ensuring these advancements serve humanity.” He also highlighted his commitment to attracting global talent to HKUST and Hong Kong, furthering the city’s role as a leader in innovation and education.
Driving AI Innovation in Hong Kong
A world leading computer scientist, Prof. Guo spent 33 years at the Imperial College London before coming to Hong Kong in 2020. His research focuses on data mining for large-scale scientific applications including distributed data mining methods, machine learning and informatics systems for biology, chemistry, geophysics, healthcare, environment, economy, finance, social media, creative design and security applications.
Appointed as HKUST Provost in December 2022, Prof. Guo has been instrumental in driving the university’s mission to integrate cutting-edge technology into education and attract global talent. The University’s “Data Science and Artificial Intelligence” discipline is ranked among the global top 20 and holds the top position among local universities, solidifying HKUST’s reputation as a leader in AI innovation.
About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university that excels in driving innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 3rd in the Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2024, 19th Worldwide and No.1 in Hong Kong in Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings. Thirteen HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with “Data Science and Artificial Intelligence” holding the 17th place, maintaining its position as first in Hong Kong. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In terms of research and entrepreneurship, over 80% of our work was rated “Internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the latest Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. As of May 2025, HKUST members have founded over 1,800 active start-ups, including 10 Unicorns and 17 exits (IPO or M&A)
For media enquiries, please contact:
Gloria Tang
Tel: 2358 6306
Email: gloriatang@ust.hk
Philip Kwong
Tel: 2358 6299
Email: philipkwong@ust.hk
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