In memory of Professor Wilson Tang: 1st named lab through donations of HKUST(GZ) launched

HKUST(GZ) recently held the landmark unveiling ceremony for the Wilson Tang Brilliant Energy Science and Technology Lab (BEST Lab), named in honor of the late Professor Wilson Tang, former head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

The BEST Lab focuses on reducing carbon footprints and developing next-generation sustainable energy systems through interdisciplinary and innovative energy research.

It aspires to be a world-class facility at the forefront of energy research. Notably, the BEST Lab is the first named laboratory through the donations of HKUST(GZ) since the university's establishment, embodying not only Tang's rigorous scholarly spirit and dedication to research, but also the profound expectation for continued innovation among researchers.

Tang's life represents a harmonious story of personal achievements, also providing an example that resonates far beyond national boundaries for academics worldwide.

Born in Hong Kong, China, Tang laid a solid foundation during his high school years at the prestigious La Salle College. After graduation, fueled by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he decided to cross the ocean and pursue further studies in the United States. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT before earning his doctorate at Stanford University, where he majored in civil engineering.

In 1996, after teaching for 27 years at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Tang returned to his homeland, joining the rising star in academia at that time, the HKUST, where he assumed the role of department head in Civil and Environmental Engineering. His decision was not only driven by emotional ties but also by a grand vision: to bridge Western academic excellence with the East, fostering collaboration and nurturing a new generation of research talent rooted in their homeland but having a global perspective. Under Tang's leadership for six years, HKUST's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering reached new heights, shining brightly among the academia of Asia and beyond.

Tang boasts a rich academic legacy, making significant contributions to the advancement of safety and reliability analysis in civil engineering. He pioneered reliability-based engineering design and risk management methods, extending their application to various fields, including geotechnical engineering. What’s more, he was a trailblazer in applying probabilistic methods to civil infrastructure engineering and management. His wisdom is encapsulated in over 250 technical papers, each reflecting an unwavering pursuit of scientific excellence. Notably, the book Probability Concepts in Engineering Planning and Design, co-authored by Tang and Professor A. H-S Ang, has become a globally renowned university textbook on engineering reliability, translated into many languages.

As a recognized leader in the field of civil engineering, Tang has received numerous awards and honors. In 2001, he was honored with the T K Hsieh Award by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in the United Kingdom, recognizing his outstanding contributions through two published papers in the ICE's professional technical journals. In 2002, he was inducted into the Offshore Energy Center Hall of Fame as a "Technical Pioneer in Offshore Structural Reliability Design". In 2004, Tang was elected as a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the highest honor bestowed by ASCE. At that time, he stood as the only fellow from Hong Kong, representing a remarkable achievement.

The family of Tang has made significant donations to both HKUST and HKUST(GZ), symbolizing not only their continued emotional connection to HKUST but also their commitment to perpetuating his legacy. These donations spread his spirit and encourage future generations to contribute lasting value to scientific and global innovation.

Tang passed away on Jan 5, 2012, in Chicago at the age of 68. During his final year, he bravely battled illness while actively advancing his research and teaching. Collaborating with Tongji University, he engaged in months-long in-depth research cooperation, sharing his wisdom through lectures. HKUST also witnessed Tang's frequent presence as he passionately drove forward a series of research projects. Even as he prepared to travel to Chicago that autumn, Tang remained devoted to academia, engaging in lively discussions with colleagues about new directions in geological risk assessment.

Months after his passing, his family donated HK$ 1.5 million ($192,070) to HKUST, establishing the Professor Wilson Tang Memorial Fund in collaboration with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. This initial donation aims to nurture new talent within the department – inspiring students to tirelessly pursue knowledge and Tang's unfinished dreams through scholarships and financial aid. In 2023, Tang's family made an additional donation of $2 million, setting up the Wilson Tang Engineering Professorship. This endowment prioritizes recognizing and providing extra funding to professors in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, supporting their journey in teaching and research.

In the same year, Tang's family extended their support to HKUST(GZ), contributing to this young university's growth. After discussions with the leadership, they chose to name the BEST Lab, maximizing the impact of their donation. Today, the BEST Lab stands as the first named and donated laboratory at HKUST(GZ), filling Tang's family with excitement and pride. They eagerly expect the lab to become a broad stage for the fusion of intellectual exchanges and wisdom among students and the faculty. Beyond fostering deep academic collaboration, the BEST Lab aims to lead the way in emerging technologies, ushering in a new chapter of technology-education integration.

Professor Lionel M. Ni, president of HKUST(GZ), expressed his delight, saying: "The BEST Lab is our first named laboratory through donations.

“Witnessing its launch brings me great joy. During my tenure at HKUST, I had the privilege of knowing Professor Wilson Tang. Not only was he a humble gentleman, but he was also an outstanding expert in civil engineering. Since joining HKUST, he consistently propelled the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering to higher levels.

“I extend sincere gratitude to Professor Tang's family. Their love, like a warm and steadfast force, extends from HKUST to HKUST(GZ), driving the growth of both universities".

Professor Huihe Qiu, head of the BEST Lab and the Thrust of Sustainable Energy and Environment, emphasized that the lab would make good use of the donations of Tang's family to support researchers.

This would be in their endeavors in fields such as renewable energy, green energy generation, intelligent batteries, solar conversion and utilization, smart green buildings, efficient energy conversion and storage technologies, energy harvesting systems, thermal management of power batteries and electronic chips, carbon capture and utilization, green hydrogen and biomimetic energy.

The lab aims to drive technological breakthroughs and innovations in green energy, contributing to sustainable low-carbon development. Prof. Qiu pledged: "We will live up to expectations, embodying Tang's rigorous scholarly spirit, and enhance the lab's research capabilities and technical expertise in sustainable energy systems. Through interdisciplinary and innovative energy research, we will explore potential opportunities and critical solutions to address climate change and contribute to sustainable development ".