Imagine the moment when young minds, brimming with questions, meet the very scientists who turned curiosity into lifelong exploration. For students passionate about science, these encounters aren’t just inspiring, they’re transformative. Hearing a Shaw Laureate explain how galaxies are mapped, equations unravelled, or microbes decoded turns distant dreams into tangible possibilities.
Far beyond textbooks and labs, these face-to-face exchanges reveal science as a living pursuit – a dialogue, a direction and for many, a destiny.
That’s the heart of the Shaw Prize’s mission: to ignite imagination and cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders. Hong Kong students are invited to experience this vision first-hand at “Innovating for Tomorrow: A Conversation with The Shaw Laureates 2025.” Shortlisted participants will engage directly with world-renowned scientists in a rare, intimate setting.
Presented by the Shaw Prize Foundation and organised by SCMP Learn, this event features a moderated conversation between the 2025 Shaw Laureates and selected secondary school students – an unforgettable exchange of ideas, inspiration and ambition.
Shaw Laureates 2025
Professor John Richard Bond and Professor George Efstathiou – co-recipients of the Shaw Prize in Astronomy
Bond and Efstathiou are globally recognised for their pioneering studies of fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the oldest light in the universe. Bond is a professor at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics and the University of Toronto, Canada. Efstathiou holds the position of emeritus professor of Astrophysics at the University of Cambridge, Britain.
They have revealed that understanding the fluctuations in the CMB could uncover key details of the universe with unprecedented accuracy. Their predictions were verified, leading to precise measurements of the universe’s age, geometry and mass-energy content.
Professor Wolfgang Baumeister – recipient of the Shaw Prize in Life Science & Medicine
Wolfgang Baumeister is a director emeritus and scientific member at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Germany as well as a distinguished adjunct professor at ShanghaiTech University, China.
Baumeister has been instrumental in developing cryogenic-electron tomography (cryo-ET) – a technique that enables three-dimensional imaging of biocomponents in their native environments.
Professor Kenji Fukaya – recipient of the Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences
Kenji Fukaya is a professor at the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications and the Yau Mathematical Sciences Center at Tsinghua University in China.
Fukaya is celebrated for his foundational work in symplectic geometry, especially the development of the now-famous ‘Fukaya category.’ His contributions have advanced symplectic topology, mirror symmetry and gauge theory.
The process
“Innovating for Tomorrow: A Conversation with The Shaw Laureates 2025” offers a gateway to unlocking students’ scientific potential. Here’s how the experience unfolds:
Application
The journey begins with a challenge: a 100–250 word essay in which students express their passion for scientific research. Applicants are encouraged to showcase their curiosity and articulate a vision for how engaging with Shaw Laureates can fuel their pursuit of excellence. Whether it’s unravelling cosmic mysteries, solving advanced mathematical problems or decoding life’s complexities, this essay is their opportunity to make a compelling case.
Shortlisting
The SCMP editorial team will review submissions and select up to 60 students who embody the spirit of discovery. They’re looking for individuals with passion and promise – students ready to carry the torch of scientific curiosity and become the innovators of tomorrow.
Pre-event briefing
On October 18, 2025, shortlisted students will attend an online pre-event briefing: a tailor-made English journalistic writing workshop hosted by SCMP. This dynamic session will equip students with interview techniques and storytelling skills, preparing them to engage meaningfully with the laureates.
The day of inspiration
October 23, 2025, marks the main event. Shortlisted students will enter the world of the Shaw Prize for an immersive group discussion. Divided into three groups – Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences – they will engage in conversations with the Shaw Laureates. These discussions will be followed by a moderated sharing session led by the SCMP Young Post editorial team, revealing the human stories behind the groundbreaking science.
Capturing the moment: reflections
To cement the experience, each student will write a 250-word post-event reflection, blending insights, emotions and photos from the day. This is their opportunity to process the profound impact of meeting scientific visionaries and inspire others with their story. The top three reflections will be published in Young Post, sparking curiosity in readers around the globe.
“Innovating for Tomorrow: A Conversation with The Shaw Laureates 2025” promises to be a launch pad for future scientific leaders. Don’t miss your chance – apply now and let your journey to excellence begin.
Key dates at a glance
Application period
Now – October 6, 2025
Online English journalistic writing workshop & pre-event briefing session
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Event day
Thursday, October 23, 2025 at Shaw Studios
Register here: http://bit.ly/3HLMHCf
