The year 2023 held a special place in our hearts as we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Shaw Prize. For two decades, we have had the privilege of honouring exceptional scientists and researchers whose groundbreaking contributions have expanded our understanding of the world and beyond. This remarkable milestone fills us with immense pride and reaffirms our commitment to recognizing excellence.
In 2023, we had the honour of welcoming seven outstanding individuals to the Shaw Prize community, bringing the total number of Shaw Laureates to over 100 since the inaugural presentation in 2004. Allow me to once again introduce the distinguished 2023 Shaw Laureates: Professor Matthew Bailes, Duncan Lorimer and Maura McLaughlin, the Prize in Astronomy; Professors Patrick Cramer and Eva Nogales, the Prize in Life Science and Medicine; and Professors Vladimir Drinfeld and Shing-Tung Yau, the Prize in Mathematical Sciences. Their dedication, passion, and unwavering pursuit of excellence serve as an inspiration to us all.
The pinnacle of the year was undoubtedly the long-awaited return of our in-person Award Presentation Ceremony. After three years of virtual gathering, we were overjoyed to once again hold our annual celebration with a live audience in Hong Kong. On 12 November, over 30 Shaw Laureates and 600 guests, including top officials from the HKSAR and PRC, graced the ceremony at HKCEC. It was a joyous and momentous occasion, rekindling the sense of togetherness and intellectual exchange that is the hallmark of the Shaw Prize.
In addition, we were thrilled to bring back the Shaw Lectures in their physical form, held at three local universities in Hong Kong. The lectures provided platforms for our Laureates to share their insights and passion with the younger generation, fostering a vibrant intellectual discourse that we sorely missed during the virtual era.
In line with our commitment to nurturing young minds, we organized a trial session that was specifically tailored for high school students. Our 2023 Astronomy Laureates spent an intimate time with a group of aspiring young students and the atmosphere was charged with passion and enthusiasm. The positive feedback was hugely encouraging and reinforced our belief in the importance of such initiative.
A Shaw Prize Exhibition was also held at the Hong Kong Science Museum, dedicated to showcasing the award-winning researches of the 2023 Shaw Laureates. Through engaging multimedia presentations and insightful narratives, the exhibition inspired visitor of all ages to discover the power as well as the fun of scientific exploration.
In celebration of the 20th year of the Shaw Prize, we also seized the opportunity to breathe new life into the brand’s image with a new visual identity. It includes a new logo, new website design, new printed collaterals and many more, all aimed at effectively communicating the meaning and value of the Shaw Prize to a broader community.
As we embark on the journey that lies ahead in 2024, let us carry the spirit of inspiration, collaboration and celebration with us. Wishing all of you a happy and fulfilling New Year!
Raymond Chan
Chair of the Shaw Prize Foundation
