PAAI co-hosted the inaugural PolyU Master Lecture by Prof. Zhang Wenhong, Director of the National Medical Centre for Infectious Diseases.
The 0&A session was moderated by Prof. Yang Hongxia, Executive Director of PAAl (centrel) and Prof. Gilman siu, Professor ofHTl (right). Prof Zhang Wenhong (left) engaged in in-depth exchanges with participants.
The PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI) co-hosted the inaugural PolyU Master Lecture by Prof. Zhang Wenhong, Director of the National Medical Centre for Infectious Diseases and Head of the Institute of Infection and Health at Fudan University. In his keynote speech, titled “The Race between Evolving Infectious Diseases and Human Technology,” Prof. Zhang shared insights on how medical innovation and technology can rapidly anticipate and counteract the challenges posed by the unpredictable progress of infectious diseases before the next pandemic emerges. Co-organised with the Department of Health Technology and Informatics (HTI) and the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), the event attracted approximately 450 participants, including PolyU faculty members, students, alumni, healthcare professionals and members of the public.
At the event, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, expressed gratitude to Prof. Zhang for sharing his profound insights on the prevention and control of infectious diseases, which enriched participants’ understanding. He remarked, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus genome monitoring system developed by a PolyU research team became a pivotal tool for the HKSAR Government’s precise pandemic response.
Prof. Zhang, a globally respected expert in infectious disease control, currently serves in key leadership roles at Fudan University and has been appointed as an Honorary Professor at PolyU’s Department of Health Technology and Informatics. He also serves on the Expert Advisory Committee for the proposed medical school. Widely recognised for his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Prof. Zhang has received multiple national accolades for his work in infectious disease prevention and medical innovation.
The lecture concluded with a Q&A session moderated by Prof. YANG Hongxia, Executive Director of PAAI, and Prof. Gilman SIU of HTI. Prof. Zhang engaged in a lively exchange with the audience, sparking thoughtful discussion and inspiring all attendees.
