Three FLASS Scholars Win Inaugural RGC Overseas Fellowship Funding
Three FLASS scholars who win RGC’s Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme, from left: Professor Song Yanjie of MIT, Dr Leung Chi-fai, Associate Head of SES, and Dr Tsang Yiu-fai, Associate Professor of SES.
Three scholars from the Faculty have been awarded funding under the inaugural Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme (ORFS) of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC). Together with three other awardees from the University, EdUHK scholars received total funding exceeding HK$2.01 million, placing the University second among all local universities in both the number of awardees and the amount of funding received.
The three FLASS awardees are Dr Leung Chi-fai, Associate Head of the Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES), Dr Tsang Yiu-fai, Associate Professor from the same department, and Professor Song Yanjie of the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology (MIT). Their success in securing funding reflects the Faculty’s strong research capacity and the academic accomplishments of our faculty members.
The ORFS is a new pilot initiative launched by the RGC for three academic years from 2026/27 to 2028/29, with 40 awards granted annually. The Scheme supports Hong Kong scholars to undertake immersive international collaboration and professional training at leading overseas universities and research institutions. It aims to broaden the global perspectives of local academics, deepen cross-regional research exchange, and increase the international visibility and impact of Hong Kong’s higher education and research sector.
EdUHK Vice President (Research and Development), Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, extended his congratulations to the awarded scholars. “It is particularly meaningful to receive this recognition as EdUHK celebrates the 10th anniversary of its retitling as a university. Over the past decade, we have diversified our academic and research portfolio to generate impact for society,” he said.
Dr Leung Chi-fai of SES is an expert in photochemical solar energy conversion, photochemical and photophysical properties of transition-metal compounds, metal-ligand multiple bonds, and chemical degradation of persistent organic pollutants. His current research focuses on solar-to-fuel technologies for carbon dioxide reduction and hydrogen peroxide generation, two-photon excitation, and anticancer metallodrugs, contributing to both environmental science and biomedical research.
A researcher in environmental engineering, Dr Tsang Yiu-fai’s interests include wastewater and sludge treatment, biodegradable plastics and microplastics, resource recovery, bioremediation, microbial CO2 fixation, and odour pollution control. He is currently Editor-in-Chief of Energy & Environment and Editor of Chemical Engineering Journal. He received a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in 2023, and Silver Medals in 2021 and 2026. He has been listed among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists in Biotechnology/Environmental Science since 2020.
Listed among Stanford University’s top 2% most-cited scientists worldwide in education, Professor Song Yanjie’s research covers artificial intelligence and the metaverse (AR, VR and MR) in education, augmented reality, multimodal learning analytics, and innovative pedagogical design. Her team has secured multiple patents, including “EmoCare: An AI-powered Application to Support Emotional Well-being,” which received the Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in 2026.
“Upholding the core value of ‘Education Futures, Diverse Talents’, EdUHK will continue to provide full support for our scholars to pursue forward-looking research and international academic exchanges across disciplines, advance academic innovation and knowledge, and deliver impactful research outputs for the betterment of society,” Professor Chan said.
