The School of Public Health (SPH) hosted the Public Health Forum 2026 entitled “Public Health: Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovations” on Jan 24, 2026. The Forum aimed to explore pressing health issues and emerging threats while highlighting innovative solutions, collaborative efforts, and policy development.

The Forum began with welcome remarks from Dr Ronald Lam, Director of Health of the Department of Health, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, and Professor Chak-sing Lau, Dean of LKS Faculty of Medicine.

We were honoured to host Dr Michael Lu, Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, who inspired us to reimagine public health for a rapidly changing world. The first plenary session explored opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region over the next decade. Insights were shared by Professor Lin Hualiang, Assistant Dean and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology, Sun Yat-sen University; Professor Shelly Tse, Associate Director (Mainland Affairs) and Professor of The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; and Professor Xiang Yutao, Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau.

During the second plenary session, division heads and representatives from our School, including Professors David Bishai, Dennis Ip, Wendy Lam, Leo Poon, Parco Siu, and Jane Zhao, engaged in a strategic dialogue about the future of public health research, education and emerging opportunities.

The Public Health Forum 2026 brought together more than 200 participants, powerfully demonstrating that by addressing challenges and embracing collaborative opportunities, we can build the innovative, equitable, and resilient health systems of tomorrow. The Forum also featured a student poster session, where 44 posters were displayed, showcasing the research and findings of our next-generation public health professionals.

The winners of the Student Poster Session are as follows:

Best Student Poster Award
Winner: Ms LI Xinyi (MPhil)
Poster Title: Effect of Acute Respiratory Illnesses on Frailty in Community-dwelling Older Adults

First Runner-up: Ms WANG Jianhui (PhD)
Poster Title: Global Evolutionary Dynamics and Host Adaptation of H6 Avian Influenza Viruses in Eastern Asian Poultry

Second Runner-up: Ms KAM Tong Tonia (PhD)
Poster Title: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1-induced Lung Injury, Regeneration and Remodelling

This year’s Forum also included a special event - the Inaugural Induction Ceremony for Zeta Alpha, Delta Omega Chapter of the School of Public Health. Dr Polly Wong, Senior Lecturer and MPH Deputy Programme Director of our School, introduced the Delta Omega Honorary Society, and Professor Bishai presented awards to seven outstanding inductees in recognition of their achievements and dedication to advancing public health. 

A group photo of the distinguished speakers, panellists and moderators of Public Health Forum 2026.

Dr Ronald Lam, Director of Health of the Department of Health, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, delivers welcome remarks at the Opening Ceremony.

Professor Chak-sing Lau, Dean of Medicine, HKU, delivers welcome remarks at the Opening Ceremony.

Professor David Bishai, Director of the School of Public Health introduces the keynote speaker at the Public Health Forum 2026.

Dr Michael Lu, Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, delivers his keynote speech on “Innovating the Future of Health”.

Professor Gilberto Leung, Director of School of Clinical Medicine, Co-Director of Centre for Medical Ethics and Law, and Tsang Wing-Hing Professor in Clinical Neuroscience, LKS Faculty of Medicine, HKU, moderates the Q&A session of Dr Michael Lu’s keynote speech.

A Roundtable Discussion features an esteemed panel of speakers, including Professor Lin Hualiang, Assistant Dean and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology, Sun Yat-sen University; Professor Shelly Tse, Associate Director (Mainland Affairs) and Professor of The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; and Professor Xiang Yutao, Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, moderates by Professor Leo Poon and Professor Maria Zhu of our School.

(From left) Group photo of distinguished speakers, including Professor Xiang Yutao, Professor Lin Hualiang and Professor Shelly Tse together with moderators, Professor Leo Poon and Professor Maria Zhu of our School.

(From left) Group photo of division heads and representatives from our School, including Professor David Bishai, Professor Dennis Ip, Professor Leo Poon, Professor Wendy Lam Professor Parco Siu, and Professor Jane Zhao, together with the moderator, Professor Michael Chan.

(From left) Professor Sheikh Taslim Ali poses with Best Poster Award winners: 1st Runner-up, Ms Wang Jianhui (PhD); Winner, Ms Li Xinyi ((MPhil); and 2nd Runner-up, Ms Kam Tong Tonia (PhD), with the presentation hosted by Professor Julie Liao.

Professor Bishai presents awards to seven outstanding inductees at the Inaugural Induction Ceremony for the Zeta Alpha Chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society at the School of Public Health.