Campus Digest

HKBU hosts “Food-Medicine Homology: Future Technologies and Innovations” Forum

Thursday, 17 September 2026

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Distinguished guests attending the forum include Professor Lyu Aiping, (5th left, first row); Professor Liu Jiming (6th left, first row); Mr Min Zhidong (7th left, first row); Professor Li Min, Dean and Chair Professor of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU (4th, first row); Mrs Lily Chan, Director of University Advancement at HKBU and Secretary-General of the HKBU Foundation (3rd left, first row); Professor Zhang Hongjie (7th left, second row); Professor Simon Han (6th left, second row); and Professor Zhu Furong, Head of the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology at HKBU (8th left, second row).
Professor Lyu Aiping (left) and Professor Liu Jiming (right) deliver their remarks.
Mr Min Zhidong presents at the forum.
Professor Liu Jiming (4th left) presents a souvenir to Mr Min Zhidong (3rd right) on behalf of HKBU.
Mr Min Zhidong (3rd right) presents a souvenir to HKBU, with Professor Liu Jiming (4th left) accepting it on behalf of the University.

On 10 September, HKBU partnered with the Hong Kong International Food Technology Innovation and Development Co., Ltd. to co-host the “Food-Medicine Homology: Future Technologies and Innovations” Forum, bringing together leading scholars, scientists, and industry leaders to explore the innovative integration of the food-medicine homology concept with modern food technologies, as well as the future development of the health industry.

In his welcoming remarks, Professor Liu Jiming, Interim Provost of HKBU, said that the University has long been committed to integrating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) wisdom with modern life sciences, and has achieved significant results in research on natural health products, and the modernisation and translational application of food. He emphasised that “food-medicine homology” is a treasured legacy of Chinese traditional wisdom, embodying valuable health concepts and practical applications that remain to be further explored and translated through cutting-edge technologies.

At the forum, Mr Min Zhidong, President of the Hong Kong International Food Technology Innovation and Development Co., Ltd., introduced academics and industry representatives from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Denmark, promoting international academic and industry exchange. Ms Zhang Yi, Deputy Director-General of the Achievement Transformation Bureau of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, shared the academy’s latest achievements in research commercialisation and technology transfer. Professor Zhao Liping, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, presented on the theme “Food is Medicine”, discussing the role of the gut microbiome in human health and outlining new directions in food-medicine homology and precision nutrition.

The research showcase was led by Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of the Graduate School of HKBU. Professor Zhang Hongjie and Professor Simon Han, Associate Deans of the School of Chinese Medicine, as well as researchers from the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU, Faculty of Science and Technology at HKBU, the HKBU Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development, and the HKBU Research and Development Centre for Natural Health Products, shared their work on topics including the development of food-medicine homology functional molecules, the application of Chinese herbs, the translation of novel TCM drugs and health products, the health benefits of everyday foods, and AI-driven evidence-based personalised health.

The forum further strengthened academia-industry-research collaboration and international exchange, providing a platform for collaboration among research institutions, enterprises, academics, and investors, to advance the translation of food-medicine homology research outcomes and the innovative development of future food technologies. Participants expressed their hope to deepen collaboration in the years ahead, jointly promoting precision health management and the development of the health and wellness industry, and contributing to the enhancement of human health and well-being.