‘Coral mum’ Apple Chui wins Falling Walls Science Breakthrough Award

Prof. Apple Chui presents the School Coral Nursery Education Programme at the Falling Walls Science Summit 2024 in Berlin.

Prof. Apple Chui from the School of Life Sciences won the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year 2024 award in the Science Engagement category with her project that has inspired more than 1,000 Hong Kong school students to take part in coral conservation.

Prof. Chui presented the School Coral Nursery Education Programme as part of her application, ‘Breaking the Wall to Engage Schools in Coral Restoration’, at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin on 7 November 2024, where it was selected from 130 applications across 60 countries and regions.

Prof. Chui, also known as ‘coral mum’ in the local community, is the architect of the education programme, which was launched by the School of Life Sciences and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the Hong Kong government in 2020. It aims to raise awareness of coral conservation and promote stewardship among students and the broader community. Coral nurseries are set up at local schools where students can actively engage in coral culture, and the corals will be transferred by researchers into the ocean. The initiative is the first and only one in Hong Kong which directly engages primary and secondary schools in coral restoration efforts.

To enhance biodiversity and bolster reef resilience against climate change, large-scale initiatives are essential for reversing the ongoing decline of coral reefs and promoting their recovery in Hong Kong. The award recognises Prof. Chui’s effort in tackling environmental challenges and fostering science engagement.

She says, ‘Engaging students in coral restoration not only enhances their understanding of marine ecosystems but also fosters deep emotional connection between them and local corals, empowering students to become passionate stewards of our environment.’

The goal of the programme is to nurture future generations as advocates for marine conservation.

The Falling Walls Foundation, a charity supported by the government of Germany and numerous academic institutions, foundations, companies and NGOs, hosts the annual Falling Walls Science Summit. It serves as a leading international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral forum to foster scientific breakthroughs and dialogues.

The Office of Academic Links has been coordinating and supporting nominations across CUHK for the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough Award which serves as a valuable opportunity to promote internationalisation at CUHK.

Adapted with modifications from an article published in the 20 November 2024 edition of CUHK in Focus.