Areas of Excellence Committee (AoEC) | Research and Innovation Office

Composition

Chairman

Deputy President and Provost (as appointed by the President) or a senior academic staff member (as appointed by the DP)
Prof Wing-tak WONG, DP

Members

President
Prof Jin-guang TENG

Executive Vice President or her delegate
Ms Jane FOK, Associate DoF

Vice President (Education)
Prof Jiannong CAO, VP(Edu)

Vice President (Research and Innovation)
Prof Christopher CHAO, VP(RI)

Up to six other members, including external members, appointed by the DP

Prof Weixiong ZHANG, Associate DoPAIR (1 Sept 2025 to 31 Aug 2027)
Prof Edwin CHENG, Dean (FB) (1 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2025)
Prof Guangwei HU, Associate Dean (FH) (1 Jul 2024 to 30 Jun 2026)
Prof H.C. MAN, Dean (FENG) (1 Sep 2022 to 31 Aug 2026)
Prof Wai-yeung Raymond WONG, Dean (FS) (1 Jul 2023 to 30 Jun 2027)

Secretary

A member of staff from the Research and Innovation Office, appointed by the Director of Research and Innovation
Ms Doris FUNG, Assistant Director (RIO)

Terms of Reference

To advise the Deputy President and Provost (DP) on all matters relating to the development of Areas of Excellence (AoEs) and Research Institutes (RIs) in the University.
To develop and continually review strategies for the promotion and development of AoEs and RIs.
To monitor progress and to develop appropriate mechanisms for the review and monitoring of AoEs and RIs.
To consider applications for research endeavours and funding schemes administered by the Committee from Faculties/Schools and Departments, and approve funding allocations, as appropriate.
To advise the DP on research funding schemes administered by the Committee and to regularly monitor the progress of these endeavours and funding schemes.
To prepare reports required from the UGC or other external agencies relating to the activities administered by the Committee for submission by the President or his nominee.

Schedule of Meetings

No. of Meeting	Date	Time	Location
109^th	17 September 2025 (Wednesday)	2:30 p.m.	M1803
110^th	31 December 2025 (Wednesday)	2:30 p.m.	M1803
111^th	18 March 2026 (Wednesday)	2:30 p.m.	M1803
112^th	17 June 2026 (Wednesday)	2:30 p.m.	M1803

Projects of Strategic Importance

Large Equipment Fund

Research Institutes and Research Centres under PAIR

University Research Facilities

Last update: Dec 2024