Oct 2011
The University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, together with Dr Fong Yun Wah (方潤華博士) and the representatives of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Purple Mountain Observatory (中國科學院紫金山天文台), officiated at the naming ceremony of a minor planet known as “HKU Star” at the University’s Main Campus in October 2011.
In celebration of the University’s Centenary, Dr Fong suggested that the Chinese Academy of Sciences Purple Mountain Observatory name a new minor planet as “HKU Star”. The name was officially approved by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Professor Tsui was grateful for the wholehearted support of Dr Fong who made the naming of “HKU Star” possible.
At the ceremony, Professor Wang Qi (汪琦教授), Deputy Secretary-general of the Minor Planets Naming Committee of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Purple Mountain Observatory, remarked that “The University has always been a focal point of intellectual and academic endeavors in Asia and a gateway of knowledge exchange with the rest of the world. “HKU Star” represents the University in space and will always be there.”