Lingnan University President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science Prof S. Joe Qin.
President Qin said he was honoured to be appointed as a member of the Institute’s Board and looked forward to working closely with experts from different sectors to further promote coordinated development in artificial intelligence (AI) research, industrial applications and talent cultivation in Hong Kong.
President Qin said, “Lingnan University is committed to advancing the cultivation of liberal arts talents for the digital age. This appointment not only provides me with an opportunity to apply my academic expertise to public service, but also represents recognition of Lingnan University’s transformation in nurturing digital-age talent. Artificial intelligence has become a major driving force behind global technological innovation and industrial transformation. If Hong Kong is to remain competitive in the next wave of technological development, we must advance simultaneously in fundamental research, technology transfer, talent development and governance frameworks. The establishment of the Institute will help accelerate the development of a comprehensive innovation ecosystem in Hong Kong and strengthen collaboration among universities, research organisations and industry. I look forward to contributing to the work of the Institute and working with the Board and the Government to further define Hong Kong’s strategic role in the development of ‘AI+’, while promoting closer connections between research outcomes and industry needs.”
President Qin further noted that the value of AI lies not only in technological breakthroughs but also in its ability to address real-world challenges, enhance economic transformation and strengthen overall competitiveness. He emphasised that responsible and ethical use of AI is equally important as technological development.
“In the digital era, public AI literacy and ethical awareness will form an important foundation for sustainable development. Strengthening AI education and skills training will not only enhance society’s understanding and application of new technologies, but also help Hong Kong build a healthy and sustainable innovation and technology ecosystem,” he added.
President Qin is an internationally renowned scholar in data science and engineering, with research expertise in areas including industrial artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing. Prior to joining Lingnan University, he was the Fluor Professor at the Viterbi School of Engineering of the University of Southern California. He also served as the inaugural Dean of the School of Data Science and Chair Professor of Data Science at the City University of Hong Kong, and as Vice President and Presidential Chair Professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, bringing extensive experience in both international academia and higher education leadership.
President Qin is a Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA), a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE) and the US National Academy of Inventors, as well as a Fellow of the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In 2022, he received both the CAST Computing in Chemical Engineering Award from AIChE and the IEEE Control Systems Society Transition to Practice Award, becoming the first and only scholar from Chinese Mainland to receive both honours.
President Qin has also been named among Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists from 2022 to 2025, ranking first among scholars in both the Chinese Mainland and the Hong Kong SAR in the Industrial Engineering and Automation career-long impact category.
President Qin has published more than 470 international journal papers, book chapters and conference papers, and holds 15 US patents. His research spans data science and analytics, machine learning, system identification, smart manufacturing and smart cities, and has made significant contributions to the application of data-driven technologies in industry and society.
As a university rooted in liberal arts education while actively advancing interdisciplinary research, Lingnan University has strengthened its development in data science and artificial intelligence under the leadership of President Qin in recent years. Through a “Liberal Arts + Technology” interdisciplinary strategy, the University promotes “AI + X” education and research, integrating AI with fields such as energy, materials, the environment, humanities and social sciences. The aim is to nurture research-oriented talents equipped with both technological capabilities and humanistic perspectives. Lingnan was ranked No. 1 in the world for UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Quality Education in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025.
Looking ahead, Lingnan will continue to leverage its strengths as a liberal arts university with a strong focus on interdisciplinary research, aligning with national and Hong Kong SAR government innovation and technology development strategies. Through interdisciplinary research, academia–industry collaboration and talent development, the University will support Hong Kong’s aspiration to become an international innovation and technology hub and promote the wider application of AI technologies across society and industry.
