University in Hong Kong acclaims Nobel physics winner

"University in Hong Kong acclaims Nobel physics winner | AboutHK.Com - More Information About HK"

The Chinese University of Hong Kong on Tuesday paid tribute to Charles Kao after he was one of three physicists to win the 2009 Nobel Prize for work on fibre optics and light sensing. Kao, 75, who has dual British and US nationalities but has been based in Hong Kong, was vice-chancellor of the university before retiring in 1996. "This is truly great news for all of us at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, in China, and indeed to all Chinese around the world," current vice-chancellor Professor Lawrence J. Lau said in an open letter. "We at the university are humbled by the honour that we are privileged to share," Lau said, adding Kao was known as the Father of Fibre Optics. The letter added that the Nobel winner's association with the university went back 40 years and since retiring as vice-chancellor he had been made Honorary Professor of Engineering. Kao was awarded half of the prize for groundbreaking achievements in the use of glass fibres for optical communication, playing an instrumental role in unleashing the Information Technology revolution. "The high-speed network communication that is now such an integral part of modern living owes much to Professor Charles Kao, the trailblazer," Lau said. Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved.