HKSTP Pays Tribute to Sir Charles K. Kao, Father of Fibre Optics

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Charles K. Kao on 23 September 2018, the founding member of HKSTP’s Board of Directors, Nobel Laureate and Father of Fibre Optics, at the age of 84. We express our deepest condolences to his family.

Professor Kao strived for excellence in scientific research and achieved revolutionary change in modern telecommunications. He pioneered the development and use of fibre optics, a leap forward in the advancement of global connectivity. Indeed, he is the pride of Hong Kong and the Chinese community. His passing is a great loss to the innovation and technology community.

We at HKSTP have so much to thank Professor Kao. As a founding member of the Provisional Hong Kong Science Park Company Limited (1998 - 2001) and HKSTP’s Board of Directors (2001 - 2003), he was integral to the planning and development work of Hong Kong Science Park, and set the direction for what the Park is known today.

The Golden Egg, the architectural centerpiece within Science Park, was named after Professor Kao. We had the honour of having Professor Kao and Mrs Kao at the official naming of the facility in 2010, now called the Charles K. Kao Auditorium.

Professor Kao will always be in our fond memories. We hope his global achievements and contributions, as well as his pioneering spirit and passion, will continue to inspire innovators and researchers around the globe.