Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam used her first official visit to the UK to see Imperial's technological lead in medical robotics.

The head of Hong Kong’s government toured Imperial’s Hamlyn Centre, seeing how the College’s researchers are collaborating worldwide, including with the Chinese University of Hong Kong, to pioneer new robotic surgery technologies. 

She met with Imperial’s President Alice Gast, Provost James Stirling and Chair of Council Sir Philip Dilley, and the visit was led by Hamlyn Centre Director Professor Guang-Zhong Yang. 

Imperial's Chair of Council Sir Philip Dilley with Carrie Lam and Professor Alice Gast

Professor Yang, Professor Gast and colleagues showed Mrs Lam how Imperial is at the leading edge of engineering, design and medical technology innovation. 

The right place for collaboration

The chief executive spoke about Hong Kong’s “big push on science and technology” and its commitment to “international collaboration” with colleagues “in universities all over the world,” including Imperial. 

Mrs Lam was “pleased to see Hong Kong technology being used in such advanced equipment” at the Hamlyn Centre. 

Dr Benny Lo demonstrates wearable med tech

Professor Gast thanked Carrie Lam for visiting, saying “you’ve come to the right place,” for collaboration, solving grand challenges and international innovation. 

Imperial has more than 250 students from Hong Kong and nearly 3,000 alumni are based in the city. In the last five years, Imperial has collaborated on more than 400 research papers with colleagues in Hong Kong. 

During the visit Mrs Lam said “Imperial College stands out because you have really strong alumni in Hong Kong.” Next month, the Imperial College Alumni Association of Hong Kong will celebrate their 35th anniversary with a special dinner and a visit from President Gast.